Stacey Ellen

nice listen!

Reviewed: 03-02-21

Maybe not wildly original but extremely well written, performed beautifully by the narrator. i was engrissed but it isn't a novel i'll ponder later.

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Really interesting read sometimes in the weeds

Reviewed: 05-18-19

Over I love this book and 4S technical as it got sometimes I never lost interest and never felt overwhelmed the writing is very good the nary or is quite good with the text required that he speak in the voices of other people I think he struggled a bit.

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I loved every bit of this book

Reviewed: 01-27-19

I almost never remark on the performance of the narrator or speaker but this was so beautifully read and acted it really added to the story and I felt the characters very deeply

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enjoyed this book enormously

Reviewed: 09-07-18

in a sea of novels that are formulaic this is a book that took twists and turns that really surprised me it felt and read like the novel equivalent of The Princess Bride are there a funny parts tragic parts magical and fantastical elements that add up to a really great story and an ending that didn't disappoint while initially I thought the authors reading detracted from the story he really grew on me it was not a statical as some of the experience narrators I've heard but it's a very soothing and authentic voice highly recommend

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I enjoyed listening to this audiobook

Reviewed: 06-22-18

for someone who has not read widely in this field of this is a great introduction it's also very interesting to listen to the biographies of the genius innovators that are discussed here those of us who are a bit longer in the tooth and who have read about this phenomenon of the genius may not find as much new material but it's still a good review and discussion

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2 people found this helpful

I loved the interestings this one not so much

Reviewed: 06-13-18

the interestings really spoke to me and the characters complexity was very appealing somehow this novel fell really flat for me maybe because I think the women's movement struggles to be relevant at least in the way that it's described in this book the characters seem flat and the concepts outdated it told a story but the story simply did not interest me the characters didn't interest me and I missed the layers of meaning and thoughtfulness of the first novel

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Good story, characters ultimately unsatisfying

Reviewed: 05-16-18

I liked this book and The Goldfinch. I liked the characters and much about the story. Was never tempted to abandon the story, I was engaged, and intrigued by some of the mystery that the early chapters hinted at. This was also true of the Goldfinch. But while the Goldfinch shares some of the same flaws I perceive with this story, the ending "made sense" to me and gave me closure. The Secret History ending felt wrong, forced, a desperate solution -- the the writer painted herself into a corner.

There is much to love about DT's books and I feel like a jerk for this criticism -- I love her vocabulary and the way she uses language. I enjoy the stories. While this one was a bit of a disappointment, I would never discourage anyone from reading it -- it's not a waste time time, and you will enjoy the characters. It made me think about human empathy and guilt. So thanks to the author for that.

The author did a reasonably good job as narrator, but I wonder if a pro narrator might have enhanced the story.

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Loved this book!

Reviewed: 03-31-18

Would you listen to Look at Me again? Why?

I loved this book. JE has an exacting command of the English language and her descriptions are poetic and unusual, so many turns of phrase that I loved to savor... "most of his colleagues were incising Lake Michigan with powerboats "; this isn't even the best example and there are so many more. If you are a lover of vocabulary and well-used words, this is the book for you. If you are fascinated by concepts of beauty and the self and the disparity of who we are versus who we present to others, read this book.

I have to say, too, that I loved the character of Moose and believe it has to be based on a real person. I feel I know him, and people like him, with their brilliant, tragic lives.

I give it a four rather than a five for reasons that might not be fair -- I listened to the audiobook, and I think this is more a book to be read than listened to, in part because it demands your attention. I missed a few critical facts early on in the listening, and when things became clear in the end, I had to go back and rethink much of the plot. There are two Charlottes in this novel for a reason, but I blew it and found myself very confused near the end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Look at Me?

I don't want to give anything away, and I can't point to one moment. It is strong throughout.

What three words best describe Rachael Warren’s voice?

Emotive; feminine; strong

Any additional comments?

There were a few weird pauses between paragraphs (I assume) -- about 10-15 seconds -- no chapter heading. Not that disruptive but odd.

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1 person found this helpful

Where is the "show me more like this" button?

Reviewed: 03-10-18

What did you love best about I'll Be Gone in the Dark?

The writing is a wonderful mix of personal (author) and amateur crime sleuth story. When I say amateur, I don't mean her writing, and certainly not her journalistic investigation skills. McNamara is a marvelous storyteller, weaving into the story of the EAR her personal observations and perspective, her struggle to come to grips with her obsession, her interactions with the law, police, and other obsessed crime buffs. I could read it again.

The thing I love, love, love about this crime story is that McNamara knows when to pull away. Unlike some crime stories (I'm a crime buff myself) is that she pulls away from the detail and horror before you start to feel uncomfortable, or feel guilty about not being uncomfortable. While I read crime non-fiction, so many authors pander to a certain reader by presenting gore and graphic detail, showing a bit too much enthusiasm. She does a dance, telling just enough to let you know that bad stuff happened, and hinting at the extent, but without the ghoulish detail. Thanks for that.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I'll Be Gone in the Dark?

I enjoyed her interactions with the forums of crime sleuths. As someone who was weirdly obsessed with JonBenet of all things, I really "got it" when she felt conflicted over her own obsession and seeing a bit of herself in some of the obsessed posters.

Which scene was your favorite?

Many come to mind.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me think. About my safety, about how easy it is to blend in if you are a smart sicko, about how rare serial killers are but how real.

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2 people found this helpful

slow start forgettable

Reviewed: 02-04-18

I might not be the demographic for this novel I thought it started very slowly and I wasn't really that interested in the characters or their actions it was easy to listen to and finish but didn't leave a lasting impression.

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