Janice B.

Well researched

Revisado: 04-03-25

The reader of this murder tale was so annoying I had a couple false starts before I finally finished the book. When quoting a character, the reader spoke in a lilting, faster and almost sing-song tone that was off putting, and made all characters seem a bit insipid. I had seen two documentaries and interviews about this murder, and this representation of family, professionals and friends did not do these intelligent folks justice.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Not the best in the series

Revisado: 11-18-22

I’ve read all of the Heathcliff Lenox books, but this one seemed tired and pedantic. There was little of the delightful Lenox self-deprecating humor, and he and Swift had no chemistry as they set about to solve the mystery. Rather than a collection of quirky characters this time the players seemed like depressive cartoon characters. Everyone just seemed grumpy, and the narrator read Swift and Lennox in almost ponderous monotones. I was tempted to increase the speed just to get through the story. Not the gem of the series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Quirky little story

Revisado: 10-29-22

This little book is filled with unique characters and musicians all at odds and seeking resolutions. The reader is very good, but she makes inexplicable dramatic pauses that are quite jarring. Turning a page? Dozing off? Drinking water? Reasons for these dead stops are unknown, but they do not propel the story forward.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Difficult listening

Revisado: 08-30-22

I really wanted to love this book. After living and working in Asia for 22 years I have a great appreciation for China’s history and heritage. But this book was just painful.
The story is read, not performed in any way, and is reminiscent of how I read to my classroom of children with a little excitement, and few gruff voices for male characters. Ms Low is what I think of as a “wet reader”, with excessive lip-smacking, swallowing, lip-moistening, and just a general annoying wetness. Too close to microphone? Dentures? I don’t know what it is, but it is exceedingly distracting to the listener. Further, the reader’s Singaporean/British accent seems inauthentic for a book on China history. And there wasn’t much “lyrical” about the writing, it was more a recitation of events and dialogue. I found myself hungry for better descriptions of the landscapes and emotions of the story.
In short, I slogged through this listen, hoping to appreciate what it had to offer, but I would instead recommend Wild Swans for a three-generational story line, or Snow Flower and the Secret Fan for characters that come alive in their culture.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Exceptional story, poor presentation

Revisado: 08-28-22

This incredible life experience so deserves a better telling. It makes for a difficult listen because of the awkward bouncing between third person and first person. It would have been better presented in the first person with an introduction and an epilogue.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Delightful!

Revisado: 01-17-22

I read some criticism of the the author’s reading and was hesitant to listen to this book. I found the author absolutely delightful to listen to, and very much appreciated the author’s own voice, in every sense of that word. Fun story line, brilliant but self-deprecating hero, loved it all!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Scholarly discussion but needs a new reader

Revisado: 12-10-21

This discussion of the background and subsequent conversion to Christianity of C.S.Lewis is well written, interesting and thorough. The reader is adequate, but his decision to affect a British accent when quoting Lewis is jarring. I understand the reader’s desire to let Lewis’s own words stand out, but the accent is inconsistent, inauthentic and just weird…

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Change of Pace in this series

Revisado: 11-18-21

An Open Spook was a bit of a one-off in the series, in that the voice of the narrator is Loretta, Allison’s mother. The format and mystery has a real historical basis with the Vietnam War and remembrance of POW’s of that “war”. As the wife of a combat vet of the Vietnam War, I appreciate how the discussion of the conflict was balanced to represent various views of the war. Most conversations at that time in history were not balanced and emotions were extreme. My husband fought because he thought he was helping a country that was being taken over by hostile communist forces. He served honorably, yet he was spat on when he returned to his hometown of Santa Barbara. This little story by EJ Copperman offered entertainment, education and healing.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A disappointment

Revisado: 02-16-21

This was my least favorite of Elisabeth Peter’s stand-alone mysteries. The characters are undeveloped and stick figures. There is a noticeable absence of the usual tongue in cheek subtle humor. Jacqueline is the worst sort of female heroine, easily offended, condescending and preachy. Even her love interest, Thomas, refers to her tone as the “remorseless lashing of her tongue.” By the end I didn’t care if any of these characters were killed off or not. The only bright spot was the fairly dry history discussions about King Richard.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Baffling presentation

Revisado: 11-15-20

Love the Amelia Peabody series, but this recording is just awkward. The reader randomly speaks at a double time, and at times I checked the speed, thinking it must have accidentally been changed to 1.25 speed. Then there are sentences (again randomly) inserted which are inexplicably very quiet, almost muffled, and seem to have been added almost parenthetically.
Finally is the reader’s strange pronunciation when Emerson addresses Peabody as “Pee Bawbody.” It’s all just weird and detracting from the otherwise interesting storyline.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña