david h

Boring and soul-less

Revisado: 01-22-25

The most tedious, over-written book I've read in years. The author takes a moderately interesting plot and literally buries it in very very lengthy characterisations, often about unlikeable characters, or detailed passages (I'm talking hours!) that amount to nothing. Even if she brings them all together at the end (at 32+ hours, you'll be hard pressed to remember all that drivel), I just cannot be bothered so I'm giving up after 12 hours. I'm not averse to long books, if they move forward. But you could listen to this at 1.5x (narrator is very good) and wouldn't miss much (this is NOT literature), but I've had enough. Very annoying recommendation from the NYT (#46 in the Best 100 books of this century... come ON!). And what on EARTH were the Pulitzer committee thinking? Now listening to The Poisonwood Bible - what a joy!

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Amazing recreation of early 16th century England and (to a small degree) Europe.

Revisado: 11-06-24

Wonderful story and recreation of the era.

Narrator has a lovely lovely voice, perfect for the different roles, but there are nasty noises of spit in his mouth as he prepares new lines. A bit unpleasant.

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Easy flow and good narration. Getting dated, we need an updated version.

Revisado: 07-09-24

A little too autobiographical. I'd have preferred more China and Chinese people and less Yu Hua.

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Surprisingly current for a 100+ year old tale

Revisado: 04-02-24

Incredibly prescient story. The basis for Brave New World and 1984. Pacy and atmospheric. Excellent narration.

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Outstanding narration, interesting content

Revisado: 03-29-24

Brilliantly narrated information on two Britisher's move to and life in Denmark. Easy listening and interesting. I enjoyed.

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Denouement of a family saga

Revisado: 03-05-24

In her usual, lyrical prose, Buck winds up the fate of the Wang family against the backdrop of China’s turbulent years before 1949. Whilst strangely choosing to omit all place names and event details, she paints a grim picture of the life of the poor and a disapproving account of the rich, and of foreigners still resident there.

A bit long in parts (especially in the chapters dedicated to the hero's relationship with a local woman in the putative USA - 😵very boring), the book remained enjoyable and was very well performed. Paints a realistic picture of the old China.

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Magnificent, not a word out of place

Revisado: 04-26-23

A beautiful story of family and love set over several generations in Europe and the USA, populated by diverse people tossed by the vagaries of the events around them. Lovely performance by Ms Gleason

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History never to be repeated

Revisado: 04-24-23

This is a "factional" account of a group of sent down educated people in late 50s China. Everything you've read is there... the mind games, the cooked-up misdemeanours, the dehumanization, agricultural and industrial failures, and eventually the mass starvation and cannibalism. To read these things written by a Chinese author, no doubt informed by family stories and domestic scholarship is powerful and moving.

Although a little long, the story is a fascinating audiobook, brilliantly performed by Mr Backman. Highly recommended.

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Quality psychodrama slightly flawed

Revisado: 03-26-23

I'm distracted by Megan not discovering the identity of her kidnapper as soon as he opened his mouth

Otherwise an entertaining and quick listen with great detail on the forensic pathology

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Engaging romance set in a very interesting context

Revisado: 03-24-23

Slightly too long but beautifully read story set in 1920s and 1930s Shanghai. Deals with relationships, family and romance entirely from the Chinese perspective. Describes the social hierarchy, from street vendors to lothario fat cats, and economic circumstances of families and especially women, with not a hint of anger or sarcasm. I loved this book but was sad at the ending.

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