Joy Rapp

BEWARE: Unexpectedly graphic and upsetting content

Revisado: 04-25-24

For context, I read, listen to, and watch mostly true crime. I am not typically disturbed by some graphic content. Once in anwhile, I like to take in a novel for a break from that. This book was a poor choice for that purpose. It is well-written, an interesting concept, I understand and enjoy the themes, and I can see why the horrific descriptions of pain and suffering are contained within - but I have no need for this level of disturbing. I could not finish it. Slaughterhouses, abuse, cannibalism, war, neglect,mental and physical injury are all here. I feel the points could have been made with less-detailed descriptions. if you can stomach it, it really is a great book, I am sure. I will forever wonder how it ends because with only four hours left to listen, I can't subject myself to any more of it.

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Settle in, this is the story of several lifetimes!

Revisado: 11-13-23

This book is long, and can be a challenge to get through. I was not sure, about 1/3 in and then about 2/3 in, how I felt about this book. I was unsure at 2/3 whether I would finish it, after looking to see how much time was left and being astonished at the answer. I cared for some of these characters, disliked others, was unbelievably frustrated by some. I found myself angry at the author for some of the trials and tribulations they encountered, thinking surely they did not deserve what came their way, why would you do this to them? But, isn't that life? Filled with frustrating characters and things that don't make sense and undeserved hardships, all sprinkled with the little happinesses life brings. I would say when you reach a point in this book that you are frustrated or it feels boring and you don't want to listen any longer, stop for a while. Listen to something else in between. when you return to it. The rich history and culture throughout, all of which was unfamiliar to me personally, was incredibly brought to life. I love that it was read by the author, so there was no question as to the intent of every word. push through, you won't be sorry.

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there are not enough stars for this book!

Revisado: 04-01-21

this might be the best book I have ever read/heard. The vocabulary is incredible, and the story drew me in like no other. I tried to watch the movie and it was such a flat, depthless thing that I didn't get more than halfway through it. To be fair, there is no possible way to convey the depth of these characters and the story in 2-3 hours.

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Could not finish

Revisado: 11-14-20

I was not as taken with this book as others appear to be. I had never heard of Sherman Alexie prior to purchasing this book. He has had a tortured, interesting life, to be sure, and is a wonderful author and poet. However, this is so depressing I could not get more than a quarter of the way through it. It was not his experiences that were depressing (although his childhood was clearly unimaginably difficult), so much as the way it was being told. I had a rough childhood myself, and can relate to some of his experiences, but the tone of this agonizing book is just too maudlin for me. Perhaps it is a book better read in hard copy, rather than audio?

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well-written, with some hard to stomach details

Revisado: 09-05-18

enjoyed this book, but had to take a break from it periodically to make it through. I. an avid true-crime reader and have been all of my life, but what this man did (as described in the coroner's reports, among other things) was very hard even for me to listen to. Appalling how many times this man slipped through the fingers of law enforcement; he should never have been set free after his first offense, and yet for some reason he was allowed to continue unimpeded for years. I enjoyed the narration also. not sure if it is my device, but even at a high volume it was difficult to hear in the car (where I listen to most of my audio books).

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esto le resultó útil a 9 personas

couldn't put it away!

Revisado: 07-28-18

I wasted more time driving around the block to listen to this than I care to admit. :) It drew me in almost immediately. it becomes clear what is going on relatively quickly but it is still very suspenseful. well-written, and the narrator brought the characters to life vividly. There are a couple of things I would change about the end, because o wanted a bit more "happy," but it was a fabulous ending as it was (just more realistic and not as feel-good as I would have preferred).

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this is a book about mental illness

Revisado: 07-24-18

an obviously mentally ill woman kills her son's father and is immediately arrested. so much of this is about her mental illness and Texas laws regarding being found criminally insane. there was no mystery here, no intrigue, no drawing the listener in. I doubt I will finish this - I am halfway through, still waiting for something truly interesting to happen. this is just a sad, clear-cut story ... anyone who knew her could have seen it coming. she is not particularly intelligent, or at least is not portrayed that way. very disappointing story

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

great true crime

Revisado: 09-22-17

I listen to audiobooks while driving, and this made me anxious to get in my car to drive to work in the morning! great narrator, and the book itself is so full of details. I enjoyed the way they did not end it right after the tragedy, but went on to discuss what happened in the aftermath. very sad story, and an absolutely intriguing look into just how a person who is mentally ill can spiral out of control when no one takes responsibility. Laurie Dann's parents may well have been able to help her, or at least to have protected others from her, if they had not been so anxious to sweep her problems under the rug and to leave her entirely to her own devices while funding her existence completely without awareness.

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esto le resultó útil a 12 personas

loved it

Revisado: 01-24-17

often I find myself distracted from a story I like, because I don't enjoy the narrator. this was performed beautifully, and what a funny, sad, touching , rollercoaster of a story. wonderful listen.

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