Susannah

A tragedy waiting to happen.

Reviewed: 02-02-15

What did you love best about The Light Between Oceans?

The idea that 'ordinary' people could do something so out of the ordinary.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tom, he was such a tortured man in so many ways.

How could the performance have been better?

Noah Taylor is a great actor. He should stick to acting. As a narrator I found him frustrating...he would speed up the narration at the beginning of a new paragraph...then slow down and fade at the end of a sentence. And I swear I heard him yawn at one stage! If not for the engrossing story I would have given up after the first hour...but I had heard it was a good tale so I kept going. But his narration annoyed me right to the end. Sorry Noah...but stick to what you do best :)

If you could rename The Light Between Oceans, what would you call it?

Janus.

Any additional comments?

Audible...please re record this fabulous story with a different narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

Fascinating look at life on a remote Scottish Isle

Reviewed: 02-02-15

Would you consider the audio edition of The Blackhouse to be better than the print version?

It is hard to say, I think that it would be a great read/listen either way.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Kind of. It was more the visualisation of the island and the lifestyle that had me enthralled.

Have you listened to any of Steve Worsley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this was the first one.

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

It makes me want to travel to the Hebrides and explore the islands!

Any additional comments?

A good story in a great setting. Give it a try.

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OK but not raving about it!

Reviewed: 12-11-14

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, always love Marian Keyes books, but this is not one of her best I don't think.

Would you recommend The Woman Who Stole My Life to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend it as it is fine...just not fabulous.

What about Aoife McMahon’s performance did you like?

She commanded all the voices very well. Even the male voices were believable.

Could you see The Woman Who Stole My Life being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No, you would make another Marian book into a movie instead...This Charming Man for instance...that would be a great film!

Any additional comments?

Not a waste of time by any means, just a bit lacklustre.

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1 person found this helpful

Step into a world you could not ever imagine ...

Reviewed: 05-13-14

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes and no. Perhaps I would recommend they read it rather than listen to it as I found the narration annoying. The subject matter, however, is so interesting and almost beyond belief. I did not know anything at all about Boliva, the prison system, drug making etc. and I found it almost fantastic.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Marching Powder?

The time the protagonist spent in solitary confinement in the first months he was jailed were riveting.

Did Adrian Mulraney do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I thought the voice of Thomas was irritating but he did the other character voices well...it was difficult to connect the voice of Thomas to the character he was portraying.

Do you think Marching Powder needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. It ended properly and did not lead to a sequel.

Any additional comments?

A good story spoiled by an irritating narration.

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3 people found this helpful

BEST. AUDIOBOOK. EVER.

Reviewed: 05-13-14

What did you love best about The Goldfinch?

Everything. The narrator is wonderful. The characters are 'alive' ... the story believable.

What did you like best about this story?

Boris. I am in love with Boris.

Which character – as performed by David Pittu – was your favorite?

Boris! (see above)
But also loved Theo and Hobie. Even the awful characters are made interesting and likeable in a way...

If you could rename The Goldfinch, what would you call it?

The Goldfinch. This is actually a book with a name that is really suited to it.

Any additional comments?

Don't hesitate to listen to this book...it is 32 hours of your life you will not regret!

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Favourite audio book so far...I mean it this time!

Reviewed: 03-18-14

What made the experience of listening to Burial Rites the most enjoyable?

Everything.....I love the narration, the story, the dialogue, the description of feelings, scenes ...it is the best book I have listened to for a long time.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes...and even though the reader knows the outcome before commencing the book, you cannot but help hoping for a miracle.

What does Morven Christie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice made the story for me...the way she brings Agnes into the room with you, the use of the Icelandic accent, she is very very good.

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

Cry. Over and over again at the end.

Any additional comments?

Don't hesitate, just listen to it!

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A good book but not a great book

Reviewed: 03-18-14

What did you love best about Night Music?

Picturing the scene where the house was set - the village and characters.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was ok I think. I listened to this book about 4 weeks ago and I cannot actually remember the ending...so I guess it wasn't very memorable!

Would you listen to another book narrated by Clare Corbett?

Yes.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really, it was a bit predictable. I liked the Byron character, so I think his relationship with the young boy would be the most compelling relationship of the story - therefore a bit moving I guess.

Any additional comments?

An easy listen...not overly memorable or anything...but 'nice'.

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12 people found this helpful

The movie is better!

Reviewed: 03-18-14

Where does Sarah's Key rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Down the bottom of the list :(

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Underwhelmed. Really underwhelmed.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator was fine, it was the writing style that was so annoying. Polly Stone is very good at the accents and inflections.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Everything about the first half of the story that related to the child and her circumstances. Horrific to think that the round up and distribution of the Jews happened so recently in our history and even more horrific to think that the 'story' could be based on an actual event..

Any additional comments?

Great story, good narration, but very annoying writing style - I just want to poke the author in the eye!

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Enthralling macabre story...unexpectedly good read

Reviewed: 03-18-14

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes I have recommended it to my book club to stretch us out of our usual comfort zone. The subject matter is macabre and unsavoury, but it's a bit like a road accident...you know you don't want to look but find yourself rubbernecking anyway.

What other book might you compare Under the Skin to and why?

Cannot compare as it is the first I have read of this style

What three words best describe Gerri Halligan’s performance?

Competent, engaging, clear.

Could you see Under the Skin being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Scarlett Johanssen is already being cast in the lead of the movie I think.

Any additional comments?

Worth stepping outside your normal reading comfort zone for this story.

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Fabulous book...don't hesitate, just buy it.

Reviewed: 03-18-14

What made the experience of listening to The Rosie Project the most enjoyable?

Storyline, characters, narrator...the whole package.

What did you like best about this story?

The humour - laugh out loud moments. Very Australian humour though, so be warned if you are not an Aussie as it may be a bit parochial.

What does Dan O'Grady bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice is perfect for the character Don. I wish I could find more books narrated by him.

If you could take any character from The Rosie Project out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Don. He's an absolute gem...read it and see why!

Any additional comments?

This book was chosen for our bookclub and I was dubious about it when I read the blurb...but it is right up there in my top book selection.

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