Read Thebe Read

I came up with excuses to keep listening to this book when I should have been working

Revisado: 06-08-24

A well-written exploration of love and relationships set in an interesting multicultural setting. Although the book is full of paranormal occurrences and the protagonist is a child, this book feels more like magical realism than YA Romantasy. The fantastical in the book simply helped expose greater truths. I enjoyed getting to know the quirky inhabitants of the old house and, of course, the mystery and parallel story was compelling. (It brought back memories of a book I loved as a child, “The Velvet Room” with a similar creepy, old house, hidden room, a seeking girl and a secret not actually lost to the past.)

The reading was very good. She understood the story and phrasing, adding (subtle, natural) atmosphere of her own to an already laden story. Only Tamilians and South Africans will wince at her pronunciation, but who can know so many languages!? For me as a standard “gora,” it was really nice to have someone able to bring her version of the culture, say the words and add the intonation which really brought the characters to life. I was tempted to add the kindle version so I could gobble down the story faster, but her reading kept me from it. I knew I would lose too much without her take on the story.

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Such a sweet, gentle story

Revisado: 03-07-24

This story is a balm. The dramas are largely in the past. It is all about hope, possibility and healing. Read/listen to this if you are in the mood for a bit of warm-hearted, feel-good sweetness.

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What a performance!

Revisado: 11-01-22

This reading is on another level. I don’t think I have ever listened to a book where the reader so wholly embodies the story. He takes an excellent book and elevates and animates it. Seriously impressive.

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Simply excellent, deceptively deep

Revisado: 10-22-22

On the surface this trilogy may seem to be just another take on the underdog coming of age in a magical school theme, but boy does it blossom into more. Each book gets better until it becomes nuanced and multi-layered to the point where the reader can interpret the subtexts in diverse ways which are moving and satisfying.

I think the audio performer does a good job as well. Often YA is fluffy enough and the reading slow and irritating enough that there is only benefit in listening at faster than natural speed. Not this rendition. The reader’s intonation showed she understood the story and could embody the characters to convey their wit and unspoken intentions. This is an alarmingly rare ability (Poor listeners of Rick Riorden!).

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So glad for the introduction to the girl who radically altered the economy of the early American South

Revisado: 07-28-21

The real-life inspiration for this book is a person we should all know about. What a powerful reminder this is that history is in the hands of its writers and all those past male historians wrote her out, but now Ms. Boyd has written her back in. I am so happy to have found her story presented so entertainingly in this book.

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Stilted narration diminishes sweet story

Revisado: 12-20-16

With all those "starving" actors out there I am always astonished that audio books hire readers without subtlety or nuance to their reading. What a shame. This is a book which would be far better read than heard with this reader. The story is a fairy tale and thus would benefit from a touch of lightness and magic in the reading but in good times and bad, the narration is stiff and clunky. At least the reader understood the story, which is far better than many.

A positive about the book if you are looking for a gift for a younger reader is that it has mature themes and ideas, but no gratuitous sex and limited violence.

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