Lorem Ipsum

Ditch the Mitch. No Second Acts in The Exchange

Revisado: 11-11-23

I was so eager to add The Exchange to my Audible Library that I failed to read the reviews. I might have asked myself how bad could this tale of international intrigue be? Going in Mitch McDeere takes center stage but eventually finds his way to the wings while the plot's intrigue amps up with his wife Abby bearing the load through to the disappointing denouement. Will say that narrator Edoardo Ballerini delivers and manages to define the voices of the several characters, main and ancillary, with measured aplomb. Grisham's has proven his worth in the past but several recent releases have stumbled in the story telling department. Was hoping The Exchange would redeem the trajectory. Alas, not for me.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

At the Intersection of Culture, Crime and History

Revisado: 02-26-23

Naomi Hirahara adopts a fictional memoir of generational contrasts that begins in pre-WWII Los Angeles with the odyssey her Japanese/American family takes when the uprooting of homes and businesses forces their relocation to the Manzanar internment camp for the war's duration. Young teen Aki is tasked not only with her first person point of view but later takes on an unwitting role as she moves to Chicago to join her older sister Rose in establishing a new life whereupon the family could follow. By the dint of determination, the maturing Aki must assimilate the new norms of Midwest urban life and negotiate the multiple social constructs facing her heritage with an unforeseen quest to solve the mystery of her sister's fate. While most of the major elements of the plotting and perspectives are supported by historical grounding and the limitations of first-person narrative, I wished there had been an epilogue to gain a more reflective and satisfying summation of the events and outcomes. Despite some of the negative reviews of Alison Hiroto's narration, I found her reading/voicing quite focused on character, enunciation and measured pacing.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Practical Guidance for all Golf Skill Levels

Revisado: 11-23-22

What's particularly helpful as an audiobook is that it feels like you have author Jon Sherman "on your bag" as you size up your expectations, adjust your course management strategy, pull your club selection and, most importantly, mitigate forced errors that add double and triple bogies to your game. The authenticity of the author is clearly evident in the narratives he provides for some long-held notions he himself has dispelled during his years as both competitive and recreational golfer. This is no mere "cut & paste" from the plethora of books and magazine lessons, though he does cite other experts/theories should the reader care to explore the deeper concepts put forth here. Normally an audiobook format might not appeal to earnest learners. That shouldn't be an issue here as the author has provided a free download of a 62-page compendium of support materials demonstrating how the principles put forth in the body of the book are applied and verified. There are other awards at the end of the book one can access online via Sherman's Practical-Golf.com web presence.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

...and Sometime Overwrought

Revisado: 06-08-22

Been a longtime supporter of Sara Paretsky's series and a longtime Chicagoan (now claiming dual citizenship from a distance.) I enjoy V.I.'s passion and persistence in most of the cases that pull her in. As with many of the reviewers I grew weary of the abundant COVID conceits interwoven into the stacked storylines that framed this tale. Narration by Susan Ericksen earns mixed reviews. She had the daunting tasks to take on multiple linguistic/ethnic accents with both recurring characters and those new to this work. Will give Susan credit there. I will add that it seemed as if she shot up on heavy doses of testosterone in bringing several of the male baddies to the mic given the potting up of apoplectic voices and the temperaments delivered. Despite all that, I stuck with it and pretended I was on a long bus ride tour of Lincoln Park, Goose Island, Homan Square, the North Shore, etc.. Old home week. I gave four stars overall to Paretsky's for bringing this complex odyssey home to a mostly satisfactory ending.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Clever Plotting Meets Wry Banter and Eco Intrigue

Revisado: 02-28-22

Having read every one of Paul Levine's series over the years I confess to be a tad cautious at the outset wondering can he do it again...not to worry. In Habeas Porpoise Levine has deftly layered the multiple story lines and once again summons the screwball comedy banter between Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord (lawyerly stand-ins for Nick & Nora Charles), though for this work, "The Bickersons" from old time radio come to mind. The two find themselves on competing roles in a trial that explores some dicey legal concepts and a deep dive into the realm of eco-terrorism all while testing courtroom decorum with a presiding judge who provides some hyperbolic humor and relief. Steve's adopted nephew Bobby must also deal with the throes of being bullied and the throws of baseballs as he attempts to redeem his worth on the field while off the field pitching in -- via his savant contributions -- to help Steve and Victoria solve the case. The only drawback where I take issue is that Steve's could have reeled in some of the jerky excesses that were formed long ago in his DNA. No need to gin up the adversarial dynamic for the conceit of this he versus she court battle.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Premise and Promise Marred by Puerile Personas

Revisado: 02-04-22

I realize this work was crafted in Brad Meltzer's rookie year and it has some nuggets that portend future success as a best-selling novelist. My biggest problem is that the four main male roles of Ben, Nathan, Eric and Ober feel like they were occupied by adolescents given the angst and overwrought emotional dialog that informs most of the characterizations in the book. Ben's legal office mate cum lover is a bright spot save for the wincing flirtation exchanges with Ben. Intriguing plot developments but way, way protracted thus eroding much of this reader's patience. Scott Brick's brings his A game to the narration which likely helped many from dropping out.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

All the Thrills of a Table Read

Revisado: 01-07-22

I hesitated in writing this review lest it appear that I would already piling on with others who were wholly dissatisfied with the narrator's soulless performance. What surprised (and disappointed) me was that this is an award-winning actress who one could assume gets into each of the two women lead characters, Instead there was no distinctive "voices" to give life to each and help listeners understand who was speaking. The Lacy Stoltz protagonist could have some regional elements in her vocalizations without a cliche Southern drawl. Was very frustrating and as others noted, a waste of an Audible credit. Sorry Mary-Louise Parker, you're a fine film and television actress, but book narrations require a higher level of vocal range, variety and multiple characterizations.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

In One Ear and Out Your Putter

Revisado: 06-30-21

For the most part I'm glad I absorbed this book as an Audible experience given that many of the challenges we golfers deal with are the voices in our head which are often unwelcomed as we stand over our ball uttering color commentaries. With Dr. Parent's knack of gentle persuasion to trust in the principles of mindful presence, awareness of the breath and compassionate support, one can apply focus and relaxed competence. The visualization techniques lend themselves to the spoken word, though some of the drills could be better conveyed with diagrams or photos. Nonetheless, my enjoyment and performance have markedly improved from the insights gained.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Under the Covers of Tawdry Intrigue

Revisado: 06-11-21

Given what we've seen and read in recent years of the tabloid shenanigans of those in power and the toadies who do their bidding, it's no surprise that this caper makes a worthy follow-up to Jake Tapper's debut "The Hellfire Club." Perhaps Tapper's greatest strength is his ability to weave a through-line in this slice of the early Sixties Hollywood wherein the fictional Congressman Charlie Marder and his whip-smart zoologist spouse Margaret negotiate a salacious serpentine storyline. Their encounters with Sinatra and Rat Pack entourage, depraved studio slime and legendary organized crime bosses all within a well researched foundation where multi-agency governmental duplicity stirs the plot of intrigue that elevates the mission-worthy risks Charlie and Margaret are forced to take. Superb narration by Rob Shapiro brings spot-on verisimilitude of the key players, particularly Sinatra, Martin, Davis and Lawford and convincing voices to supporting roles.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Legal Thriller Wrapped in a Romance Novel

Revisado: 01-05-21

Expanding on the review title, this tale has all the blush of an adolescent "coming of age" conceit of Ben Billings, a 26-year old lawyer taking on a wrongful termination cum sexual harassment lawsuit. Driven more by his hormones than any full embrace of the law and ethics, the novel provides an interesting exposition of how such torts are pursued. The two major problems lie in Ben's first-person narrative wherein in nearly every female appearance is accompanied by his fixation on body, attire and allure. The irony is not lost and I wonder if a shift to third person POV would serve the story better. As a few of the other reviewers have noted, the narrator's best effort to articulate the varied voiced identities of each is a bit strained, save for how he brings the vain and wily opposing counsel Shaw to life as a worthy opponent to young Ben. For such a protracted storyline, the ending scene was served up as if it were a romcom bonbon.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña