The Ropers

So different than the movie

Revisado: 06-25-22

This is the book that was most adapted for the screen. All of us audible listeners know that the book is always better than the movie, and this is definitely true here. We get more of Sirius than in the movie, and we get to see a side of Dumbledore that the movie doesnt quite capture. Jim Dale is amazing as always.

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“God would try again.”

Revisado: 05-25-22

I read some reviews and many readers were upset with the fact that this book has God as a character in it. That wasn’t a deal breaker for me. If you believe in God, then it probably won’t bother you, and if you don’t, you’re listening to a book of fiction, so what’s the big deal?
My problem is that as a character, this God is so bad. It’s all summed up in that final sentence of the epilogue, “God would try again.” If you’re going to have any God at all, don’t have an impotent one who tries and fails. It was the way this author gave us a lame, limited, wringing-hands God that bothered me.
Julia Whelan kept me listening because she is one of my favorite readers. But in the end, it was very disappointing. The villains were underdeveloped, the protagonists were flat, the story was meh, and the God was pathetic.
Let’s go find a different book for Whelan to read to us.

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Almost good but disappointing on all counts

Revisado: 11-28-21

At every new event, Cora told us that she didn’t have a choice. Meanwhile, I’m thinking of tons of choices she is ignoring. Lots of unhelpful repetition too. How often were we told about the refuse in the street? Yes. Manhattan was dirty. Why is this repeated so many times? The characters were almost interesting but they all fell flat. It was disappointing because I wanted to care, but I didn’t. I don’t want a book that leaves me feeling apathetic.
Normally I like this narrator, but her range was weak in this book.

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The “heroine” is an awful person

Revisado: 07-03-21

Florence is literally the worst. If you like being in the mind of a selfish, insecure, cruel, narcissistic stalker who uses people, then read this book. I kept hoping for some redemption when she would see how awful she treated everyone and change. But no. I wish I could get those hours back.

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

slow start but ended up loving it

Revisado: 06-15-21

It didn’t start out great and I was doubting myself and this purchase. You audible listeners know that the narration and the story are hard to separate. But the good news is that both of them kept getting better. The things that annoyed me about the narration became less noticeable as I got more intrigued by the story and the characters.
The story is good! The mystery is fun! The characters are easy to root for! It’s not top shelf writing, but it’s super fun. And you won’t be embarrassed to recommend it to your friends or your mother in law.
The book overcame the rough start until I was sad that it ended. I actually loved this book!

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Stellar in every way

Revisado: 05-17-21

This book is so fun!! It’s got drama, suspense, and some sad parts, but it’s a good story, has some interesting science and amazing characters. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed listening to a book so much.
Dr. Grace is a person I’d love to have dinner with. He is a problem solver and he’s just so dang optimistic. It’s infectious. I love character driven stories and this is exactly that.
I can also guess that this book is best when listened to. Beyond Ray Porter being an incredible narrator, there is a great use of other sounds. It’s not over done, but it makes the listening experience even better. Take note producers - this should be the standard.
I’m so sad I’m finished. I guess I’ll just listen again. I need more humor and optimism in my world! Buy this book! You’ll love it!

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Disturbing and Dishonest

Revisado: 04-07-21

The story is gripping, no doubt, but the story is lacking. It becomes increasingly disturbing how Crouch makes Jason the center of every scenario which he stumbles upon—in a story which attempts to explore multiple realities, it really lives in one. One which preaches that this is “our world” and that everything will end up alright, because we are the center of it. Crouch seems to love Jason more than he loves himself, idolizing one version of him over the others—this was both annoying and devastatingly sad.

I didn’t hate it. It explored interesting ideas. But it attempts to make pretty large claims on identity and individual importance, which it then contradicts with the way it treats its characters.
2/5

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Kinda wishing I could forget

Revisado: 03-06-21

I was told the ending was amazing. So even though I was struggling to like Addie and care about Henry, I kept slogging through. But it only got worse. Addie was someone who used people and justified all her bad decisions. I tried to feel sorry for her and I only occasionally could. Henry never matured beyond a high school boy. Luke was the only character who was fun to dislike but ultimately he was written to be inconsistent and ignorant.
Making deals with the devil isn’t a brand new idea, but there were some interesting nuances here. But for a woman who had a whole lot of living under her belt, the decisions Addie made at the end were ridiculous and unsupported by the novel. While there was some resolution, the part that was left open was deeply dissatisfying.
I wish I hadn’t believed the good reviews or I would have stopped reading and moved on. Instead I sped up the narration and kept checking the time left, hoping I would get to the good part. I don’t like writing bad reviews when I know an author has worked hard and put something of herself in the novel. But I do wish I could have these hours back and want to let other readers know why.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Lovely

Revisado: 02-18-21

This book is wonderful. The best kind of historical fiction. The narrator is fabulous with all the Russian accents but the British ones are hard to listen to. It doesn’t matter though. The story is superb.

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Binge worthy

Revisado: 02-14-21

I started it this morning and finished the same day. It became a little tedious in the middle but I was hooked and wanted to know what happened next. The book deals with tough issues and presents them without the dimensions and complexity they truly deserve. I didn’t fall in love with the characters, but I liked them well enough. So even without anything to truly rave about, this book still checks the “unputdownable” box. Eight enjoyable get-away hours, where all the plot strands are resolved, and the narrators are very good. The book has a great ending and made me thankful for my happy marriage. I recommend this read!

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