P. E. Hall
- 2
- reviews
- 13
- helpful votes
- 20
- ratings
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The Coming
- By: Daniel Black
- Narrated by: JD Jackson
- Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 321
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 281
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Story5 out of 5 stars 280
Lyrical, poetic, and hypnotizing, The Coming tells the story of a people's capture and sojourn from their homeland across the Middle Passage - a traumatic trip that exposed the strength and resolve of the African spirit. Extreme conditions produce extraordinary insight, and only after being stripped of everything do they discover the unspeakable beauty they once took for granted. This powerful, haunting novel will shake listeners to their very souls.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A Necessary and Disturbing Read
- By P. E. Hall on 08-06-18
- The Coming
- By: Daniel Black
- Narrated by: JD Jackson
A Necessary and Disturbing Read
Reviewed: 08-06-18
This story, The Coming, by Daniel Black was disturbing. Mr. Black's ability to create the horrific conditions of the kidnapped African people who were strapped to ships, raped, and mistreated, and mutilated, is brilliant. In the midst of creating that trouble and the impact of the troubling situation he was still able to describe a people of hope.
Many times during the reading I had to pause the playback and rant to the dashboard and seats of my car. I was vexed to the point of tears in some instances and pushed to casting harsh judgement on all the Slave-Trade characters Black placed in the story. At some points I had to stop the reading altogether to allow myself time to process all that had been presented. But, once I got myself together, I'd start listening again. Thankfully, my church conducted a Bible Study on this text and we were able to share all our pent up emotions together once a week.
For those people who want to forget the entire period or to "move-on" from this nadir of humanity's treatment of itself, I say read Daniel Black's The Coming. Why? you may ask....This will help you realize that we cannot forget the journey of these people because their journey is part of who we are whether we are of the African Diaspora or from Europe. For those who proclaim loud and clear the terror and inhumanity of this historical story, you will embrace this book and this author for his ability to describe the rawness and wickedness of the entire Slave-Trade.
The Coming is a Must Read....but be ready for emotions that run deep.
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11 people found this helpful
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Midnite's Daughter
- Midnight Girl, Book 1
- By: Rick Gualtieri
- Narrated by: Tess Irondale
- Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 71
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 65
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 65
All Kisaki really wants is to belong somewhere, but there are few places half demons can safely call home. Raised in isolation within the celestial palace, she longs to escape and explore the strange planet below - Earth. So when an opportunity presents itself, she takes it, inadvertently stealing her mother's greatest treasure in the process - the Blade of Heaven. Exploring a whole new world is terrifying enough, but hot on her heels is her so-called guardian, the tiger-spirit Shitoro.
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2 out of 5 stars
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Midnite's Daughter - Meh
- By P. E. Hall on 08-06-18
- Midnite's Daughter
- Midnight Girl, Book 1
- By: Rick Gualtieri
- Narrated by: Tess Irondale
Midnite's Daughter - Meh
Reviewed: 08-06-18
So, I really enjoyed Rick Gualtieri's Tomb of Bill series. It is a fun and laugh out loud read. I enjoyed the characters, the snarky banter, and the progression of the story. Bill got a little tiresome, but I was willing to overlook some of the self-doubt repetition to hang onto the overall story. And in the end, it was worth the wait.
Here in Midnite's Daughter, the overall story was a little predictable but not unpleasant. I could hear "Vampire Bill" similarities in the character development. Kisaki had the Bill Ryder rashness with Sheila "Shining One" self doubt. There were no big guffaws, like in Vampire Bill, but the characters were mildly likable. My son, who read all of Vampire Bill with me, recently finished his 4th year of Japanese and when listening to the story he questioned some of the phrasing and use of words that were supposed to be Japanese-like. But, he, like myself, hung in there to finish the story.
I'd say overall, this is an okay, beach, or at the pool read. I used it for my morning walk with the dog. Kept me listening and not focused on how far or how fast I was walking. Not deep, not intriguing, not revelatory, just a "keep you engaged" read.
Tess Irondale was solid as ever. Her reading in "Shining Fury" was good and so was this reading with her ability to create excitement and drama and embarrassment and wisdom all in her voice. I enjoyed her performance as the last reading.
Mr. Gualtieri created a new world with a new twist in BigFoot Hunters and in The Tomb of Bill series. Midnite's Daughter didn't create that same newness. It was, as my son says, Meh.
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