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    Gunhild 03-17-15
    Gunhild 03-17-15
    HELPFUL VOTES
    3
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    87
    6
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    "One dimensional characters and poor imagination"
    Would you ever listen to anything by John Jakes again?

    No.


    What do you think the narrator could have done better?

    The "evil" male characters are homosexual, and the "evil" female characters have intercourse with whoever is around. It is very one dimensional and poorly written, the author has no fantasy as to the characters in the story.


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    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Anonymous 03-07-15
    03-07-15 Member Since 2017
    HELPFUL VOTES
    375
    ratings
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    222
    48
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    30
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    "Gripping drama for historical fiction fans"

    North and South has been sitting in my Audible library for a couple years. I have no idea why it took me so long to listen to it, but once I finally started, I could not stop. At more than 30 hours, it's impossible to listen to it in one sitting, but I wish I could have. I stayed up well into the early morning hours on more than one occasion because I just couldn't turn it off. I found myself talking back to the narrator and yelling at my iPod because of all the dramatic twists and turns, the evil scheming, and the sheer desire for the protagonists to triumph.

    I loved the attention to historical detail and the use of real historical figures as minor characters in the story line. Even the Afterword, in which the author talked about his research and the writing process, was interesting to me.

    The narrator was superb, especially his voice for Orry. I could easily distinguish when Orry was speaking, even when in conversation with other South Carolina characters.

    Five stars, all around. * * * * *

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    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    Ann 02-19-15
    Ann 02-19-15 Member Since 2012
    HELPFUL VOTES
    2
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    19
    2
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    0
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    "More soap opera than historical fiction"

    So disappointed. Clichéd, overbearing and sometimes downright silly. Want to read about The Civil War? Read The Killer Angels instead.

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    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    sm6jesse NW Washington, USA 01-07-15
    sm6jesse NW Washington, USA 01-07-15
    HELPFUL VOTES
    5
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    14
    7
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Basically a Soap Opera..."
    Would you try another book from John Jakes and/or Grover Gardner?

    no


    What was most disappointing about John Jakes’s story?

    to many steamy relationship parts. overboard on the sexual tension.


    Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

    George Main


    What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

    Disappointment, I wanted to finish but couldn't put up with all the Sex


    Any additional comments?

    disappointment

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    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    jason perth, Australia 04-12-13
    jason perth, Australia 04-12-13 Member Since 2017
    HELPFUL VOTES
    19
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    14
    12
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    1
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    Overall
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    Story
    "North and South"

    Great book. Held my attention all the way through, so it deserves a minimum of 4 out of 5 just for that. Nothing entertains me more, than learning about different countries histories through fictional characters, set in non fictional events. And this is a great story set in the civil war, which has eluded me for some time. I'll definitely listen to the sequels to this book.

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    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Simone 12-16-14
    Simone 12-16-14 Member Since 2017
    HELPFUL VOTES
    1855
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    751
    630
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    "Worth 5$"

    This book kept popping up in my recommendations list - in both Audible and Goodreads so when it came on sale for 5$ I took the plunge.

    Sale aside, the reason I didn’t read it sooner is because I am not really all that interested in the American Civil War, but since epic family sagas tend to be engaging - I dove in.

    As I suspected, the war parts bored me and the family drama entertained me.

    I have books 2 and 3 in my wish list so I can be advised if ever they too come on sale for 5$. At that price it’s worth the diversion

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    3 of 5 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Tony Hoffman 03-13-13
    Tony Hoffman 03-13-13 Listener Since 2002
    HELPFUL VOTES
    3
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    5
    2
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    3
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "better than last time"
    Would you consider the audio edition of North and South to be better than the print version?

    I read it many years ago and the audio version brought it to life. Great listen


    What did you like best about this story?

    the feeling you are there with the characters, both in Pa and in the South


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

    No


    Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

    no


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    3 of 5 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Anonymous 01-17-13
    01-17-13 Member Since 2015
    HELPFUL VOTES
    10
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    399
    13
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
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    Performance
    Story
    "History comes alive"

    Interesting to feel you know how pre-Civil War citizens felt & behaved.... not much different that people today.

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    3 of 5 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Amazon Customer Omaha, NE, United States 01-17-13
    Amazon Customer Omaha, NE, United States 01-17-13 Member Since 2011
    HELPFUL VOTES
    77
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    34
    18
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    2
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Finally!"
    Any additional comments?

    I am so glad to see that some of the older books are coming out in unabridged audio formats. Please Audible, don't stop!

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    3 of 5 people found this review helpful
  •  
    suzanne New York, NY, United States 01-09-13
    suzanne New York, NY, United States 01-09-13
    HELPFUL VOTES
    106
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    289
    75
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    6
    7
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Great story"

    I am really enjoying this book, but I love this period in history. Interesting characters. Every so often it gets a bit slow, but it always picks up again.

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    7 of 12 people found this review helpful