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    Dale Sebastopol, US, Canada 09-16-12
    Dale Sebastopol, US, Canada 09-16-12 Member Since 2017
    HELPFUL VOTES
    4
    ratings
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    81
    13
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    "Interesting Treatment"

    Interesting idea. So much foreshadowing. The author tells you time and time again what is going to happen so there's no surprise when anything does actually happen.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Joyce McKenney 09-10-12
    Joyce McKenney 09-10-12 Member Since 2009
    HELPFUL VOTES
    27
    ratings
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    6
    6
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    0
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    "One of my favorites"
    Would you consider the audio edition of Canada to be better than the print version?

    I can't compare since I did not read, only listened. However, the reader did a great job; I really did not want this to end. What a great story, beautifully written and an excellent reader. I intend to read more of Ford's work.


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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Michael Indianapolis, IN, United States 09-09-12
    Michael Indianapolis, IN, United States 09-09-12 Member Since 2013
    HELPFUL VOTES
    2
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    16
    2
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    0
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    "Snore Fest"
    What would have made Canada better?

    Making it interesting.


    Would you ever listen to anything by Richard Ford again?

    Nope


    What do you think the narrator could have done better?

    Don't make the boys voice so weird.


    You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

    Nope.


    Any additional comments?

    SOOOOOOOOOO slow and totally boring. Don't do it!!

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Suzanne Manchester, NH, United States 09-04-12
    Suzanne Manchester, NH, United States 09-04-12 Member Since 2011
    HELPFUL VOTES
    9
    ratings
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    10
    8
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    "Different but interesting."

    Good story with characters you care about whether or not you like them. It had some twists that I didn't expect which kept my interest. The main character holds his emotions in close check so it felt at times as if he was narrating someone else's story. It was his survival mechanism and was well used in this story.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Kathleen Minneapolis, MN, USA 08-27-12
    Kathleen Minneapolis, MN, USA 08-27-12
    HELPFUL VOTES
    393
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    150
    129
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    "A Unique and haunting novel."

    The first lines of this book show us the “before and after” of an event which changed and vastly influenced the life of Dell Parsons, and his twin sister, Berner. "First, I'll tell about the robbery our parents committed. Then about the murders, which happened later." When the twins are fifteen, their parents, (immature and dysfunctional adults at the best of times) got the brilliant idea to rob a bank in a small town in order to get them out of debts to some dangerous people. The twins, who know nothing about this until after it happens, are abandoned as the parents are taken off to jail and ultimately convicted. Their mother did ask a friend to help them. Berner didn’t wait around for help but took herself off to San Francisco, but Dell was taken by this friend to Canada to live with her brother. He turned out to be a violent man who committed murder to rid himself of people coming to arrest him, and from there Dell’s life changes for the better. This is a haunting and well written story about events which happen, over which very young teenagers have no control, and how they each dealt with those events through the rest of their lives. It’s an excellent book.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Roger Waco, TX, United States 08-18-12
    Roger Waco, TX, United States 08-18-12 Member Since 2011
    HELPFUL VOTES
    1
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    6
    5
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    0
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    "One of the Best Books I've Read OR Listened"
    Would you listen to Canada again? Why?

    Yes. But not until I digest it; I'll be thinking about this book for months. Then I'll listen again.


    What other book might you compare Canada to and why?

    The Last Child and A Place More Kind than Home. All are about boys and the terrible things that happen to them that most people they meet will never know about.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    Del (the main character) alone after his parents are taken away to jail.


    If you could take any character from Canada out to dinner, who would it be and why?

    Del, of course. We have a lot in common.


    Any additional comments?

    This is a gripping, powerful story that's also philosophically and psychologically profound. And extremely well written and performed. I hate that it ended.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    LeeAnn Fry Conroe, Texas 08-13-12
    LeeAnn Fry Conroe, Texas 08-13-12 Member Since 2012
    HELPFUL VOTES
    2
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    82
    7
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    0
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    "Excellent listen!"
    If you could sum up Canada in three words, what would they be?

    Really great listen!


    What did you like best about this story?

    The story line.....


    Have you listened to any of Holter Graham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    Haven't listened to other works by author


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    No....just enjoyed the story...reminded me of the events of the era....


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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    jen WINSTON SALEM, NC, United States 08-06-12
    jen WINSTON SALEM, NC, United States 08-06-12 Member Since 2011
    HELPFUL VOTES
    31
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    53
    8
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    1
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    "Living, breathing characters."

    I'd call this a longitudinal study of the lives of two children from a dysfunctional family onto which Richard Ford adds carefully observed psychological nuance. So, though there is much to learn about the characters, it's not too much; we are genuinely concerned for their well being throughout their lives. The setting is rendered loosely enough to allow in cold atmospheric light so we can see these flawed, living and breathing characters in action over time. Ford conveys a sense of place is so authentic you will find yourself brushing your hand over the bed to clean the sheets and protect Dell in his little bed . I don't like stories so crushingly sad, but I had to know that Dell made it. I love how this book shows us that choice is key to our survival. I love how Dell understands this truth early in his life. So, I'll wipe away my tears and recommend Canada to anyone who can bear a dark read. It's worth the trip.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Kenneth Lake Kiowa, TX, United States 08-06-12
    Kenneth Lake Kiowa, TX, United States 08-06-12
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    2
    2
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Interesting"
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    Yes. It's different from what I usually listen to, and interesting.


    If you’ve listened to books by Richard Ford before, how does this one compare?

    Have not.


    Which character – as performed by Holter Graham – was your favorite?

    Del


    If you could rename Canada, what would you call it?

    I'd keep it the same.


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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    iris st. petersburg, FL, United States 08-02-12
    iris st. petersburg, FL, United States 08-02-12
    ratings
    REVIEWS
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    1
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    Story
    "As good as the NY Times said it was"

    I listen to audiobooks frequently and found this listening experience to be among the top: great story, wonderfully human characters -- warts and all, great descriptions of time and place. I thought Holter Graham's narration was outstanding: flow, dramatic touches, even his voice were right-on in his capture of the main character and reveal of the story.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful