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N. Houghton

RochNYguy

Mendon, NY United States | Member Since 2005

34
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 12 reviews
  • 36 ratings
  • 0 titles in library
  • 34 purchased in 2013
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FOLLOWERS
4

  • Dracula [Audible Edition]

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 28 mins)
    • By Bram Stoker
    • Narrated By Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, Simon Vance, and others
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1152)
    Performance
    (1048)
    Story
    (1056)

    The modern audience hasn't had a chance to truly appreciate the unknowing dread that readers would have felt when reading Bram Stoker's original 1897 manuscript. Most modern productions employ campiness or sound effects to try to bring back that gothic tension, but we've tried something different. By returning to Stoker's original storytelling structure - a series of letters and journal entries voiced by Jonathan Harker, Dr. Van Helsing, and other characters - with an all-star cast of narrators, we've sought to recapture its originally intended horror and power.

    N. Houghton says: "Gothic Horror Never Sounded So Good"
    "Gothic Horror Never Sounded So Good"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This was well worth it. Alan Cumming is a favorite and so versatile. Tim Curry never disappoints. The only thing missing from Audible's production is a cast list. I recognized some narrators that I had listen to before, but think they all deserve credit for the job well done. Lucy's naivety, and Minna steadfast strength for instance deserve crediting. I was disappointed when this was not a part of the concluding credits.

    If other reviewers could not be swept up in the production, perhaps it is due to a distaste for the genre. I like a good vampire tale as much as the next person, but this sheds so much light on how far we have come from the mother of all tales, where more is implied than exposed.

    22 of 22 people found this review helpful
  • The Hunger Games

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 14 mins)
    • By Suzanne Collins
    • Narrated By Carolyn McCormick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (28119)
    Performance
    (19777)
    Story
    (20073)

    Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

    Teddy says: "The Book Deserves The Hype"
    "If You Are a Video Gamer, Fine. Otherwise."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I read this because I was told I must. Best thing since JK Rowling... I wish! Every book is written with author's intent and received with readers perspective. Since this was presented to me as a juvenile/young adult fiction I must judge its value as such from a retired educator's perspective.

    The video game feel made me uneasy but I hoped that some moral resolution would justify this as a device to reach young readers. Unfortunately, although the situation into which these young people were put, while clearly unconscionable was simply accept and never resolved. This is the type of fiction that is fine for s adult with a clearly established moral code. For a teenager without that, and I know way to many, it was disturbing. It's not fantastical vampires and werewolves, it's children wantonly killing other children and even the heroines actions are never really resolved. It felt like watching South Park with boys and young men, cheering on a laughing at racism, homophobia and gore that never saw the irony that makes it funny.

    I understand the sequels resolve some of these issues, but I didn't care enough to return to find out.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Divide and Conquer: Cut & Run Series, Book 4

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 59 mins)
    • By Madeleine Urban, Abigail Roux
    • Narrated By Sean Crisden
    Overall
    (170)
    Performance
    (164)
    Story
    (164)

    Baltimore is a city in alarming distress. Rising violence is fanning the flames of public outrage. Thus the FBI’s latest ideas to improve public relations: a municipal softball league and workshops for community leaders. But the new commitments just mean more time Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have to spend apart when they’re happily exploring how to be more than by-the-book partners. Then the latest spate of crime explodes in their faces—literally.

    N. Houghton says: "Can't Wait for #5"
    "Can't Wait for #5"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I feel like these guys are family and I just want to shake 'em and say.... "Get it together!" But their's is a very believable relationship of two men who come from worlds where homophobic standards are imposed. I do have to say that despite that, the end of this one is just out of left field. We need a resolution!

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
  • Tooth and Nail

    • UNABRIDGED (2 hrs and 48 mins)
    • By Mary Calmes
    • Narrated By Andrew Schwartz
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (87)
    Performance
    (81)
    Story
    (82)

    Nineteen-year-old Dylan Shaw is possibly the most beautiful thing Malic Sunden has ever seen. After Malic rescues Dylan from an attack, Dylan makes it very clear that he is more than interested, but Malic won’t even consider sleeping with Dylan because of his age. Malic is sure he’s not good enough for Dylan, who has his whole life ahead of him, and can’t conceive of burdening Dylan with his secrets. But the darkness in Malic’s life won’t be denied, and soon Dylan is drawn into the dangerous paranormal world that is Malic’s reality.

    Garnett says: "not happy with narrator"
    "Dreamspinner Readers are So Inconsistent!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This reader is awful. Where's the fire? He obviously can't wait to get out of the studio and speeds through the story a record pace. There is a way on my player to set the story to double time if I'm in a hurry... but this guy takes all emotion out of the story.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • 11-22-63: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (30 hrs and 44 mins)
    • By Stephen King
    • Narrated By Craig Wasson
    Overall
    (13191)
    Performance
    (11568)
    Story
    (11508)

    On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy died, and the world changed. What if you could change it back? In this brilliantly conceived tour de force, Stephen King - who has absorbed the social, political, and popular culture of his generation more imaginatively and thoroughly than any other writer - takes listeners on an incredible journey into the past and the possibility of altering it.

    Kelly says: "I Owe Stephen King An Apology"
    "Best King I have Read"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    What a storyteller. And he has found a great vehicle in this story. "Can't put it down" story and great narration. My only issue is that the narrator is a bit over the top in his stereotypical portrayal of a some characters. It's a fine line to walk. He does help to keep characters distinct and is obviously a talented performer.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Talker

    • UNABRIDGED (2 hrs and 19 mins)
    • By Amy Lane
    • Narrated By David Kaplan
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (56)
    Performance
    (51)
    Story
    (52)

    Tate "Talker" Walker has spent most of his life hiding his scars under a bright punk facade, and until he sat next to Brian Cooper on a bus, it worked. But Brian has spent his whole life being the invisible man, and he's used to looking below the surface. What he sees in Talker is a fragile and lovable human being. Brian is outwardly straight, but Talker is desperate for love, and when Talker's behavior leads to some painful consequences, Brian is forced to come out of his closet—in dramatic fashion.

    Irene says: "Talker"
    "Good High School Gay Story"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I am a mature gay man and not a pedophile. I listen to this kind of fiction with an ear toward what I wish was available when I was growing up gay. I have mixed feeling about the graphic sexual conduct. A straight version of this story, while including the sex would hardly be as explicit, making it more acceptable to parents to recommend it as a coming of age story that would speak to the universality love. But it is what it is, and I wish it were available 40 years ago.

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
  • Hot Daddies: Gay Erotic Fiction

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 42 mins)
    • By Richard Labonte (editor), Dominic Santi, Dale Chase, and others
    • Narrated By Drake Stone
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (14)
    Performance
    (13)
    Story
    (13)

    One of the most powerful icons for gay men is the hunky, rough-hewn, authoritative daddy figure, who can offer hot kisses, warm embraces, and a firm hand with equal intensity. This collection of erotic stories reveals the unique sexual and emotional bonds between these older daddies and younger gay men.

    N. Houghton says: "A Mixed Bag"
    "A Mixed Bag"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This compilation includes a little something for everyone. That's its strength and its weakness. One of the drawbacks to audible compilations is that you can't flip through the stories to see if they balance in favor of your taste. Overall I am not disappointed that I bought this selection.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Keeper

    • UNABRIDGED (3 hrs and 40 mins)
    • By S. L. Armstrong, K. Piet
    • Narrated By Kevin Powe
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (25)
    Performance
    (12)
    Story
    (12)

    An ancient secret awaits young Hadi, chosen to be the next Keeper of the enigmatic Dhakir, in the sands of Algeria. A secret that will consume his mind, his heart, and perhaps even his soul.

    Candyce says: "If i could give it a negative star I would..."
    "Just Bizarre"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is a boring story. No matter what strange wrapping the author uses it is still just boring. Perhaps intended to send the message that there is no conflict between same-sex love and religion, this book only cheapens a laudable goal.

    I have spent a great deal of my life spreading the Good Word that God loves us and wants us tove each other. This tale, if it makes it into the hands of those who disagree.will only elicit, "See! This is where the slippery slope leads!"

    Ouch. Offensive.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • The Glass Rainbow: A Dave Robicheaux Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 7 mins)
    • By James Lee Burke
    • Narrated By Will Patton
    Overall
    (1905)
    Performance
    (556)
    Story
    (559)

    Why we think it’s a great listen: When it comes to author/narrator pairings, nobody tops James Lee Burke and Will Patton in the Robicheaux thrillers. Beloved Burke hero Detective Dave Robicheaux here returns to New Iberia to solve a series of grisly murders. Seven young women in neighboring Jefferson Davis Parish have been brutally murdered. While the crimes have all the telltale signs of a serial killer, the death of Bernadette Latiolais, a high-school honor student, doesn’t fit.

    Gardner says: "Best Yet... Almost"
    "Top Notch Listen"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Even if the mystery were not riveting, which it is, Burke's skills of engaging the listener in and environment sent me to research more about the setting. I thought I knew what a Bayou was but I really do and have a much better sense of Louisiana geography in general.

    The characters are well developed, the narrator brought them to life. Thoroughly enjoyable. I am off to visit Dave and Clete again soon.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Bible in 90 Days: Week 1: Genesis 1:1 - Exodus 40:38

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 22 mins)
    Overall
    (20)
    Performance
    (9)
    Story
    (9)

    Listen to the NIV Dramatized Bible from "cover to cover" in manageable bites in just 13 weeks. Week 1 includes Genesis 1:1 to Exodus 40:38.

    N. Houghton says: "Listening to Scripture in an Elevator"
    "Listening to Scripture in an Elevator"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    What a great idea! I wanted to listen to the complete old testament especially and this seemed an approachable way to do. I don't share the views of the commentator and there is so much here that is speaking to s specific people in a specific time... but everyone should read The Bible at least once. What really makes this recording annoying is the trashy Muzak in in the background and the Echo Chamber for the voice of God. Certainly there are great actors that could convey authority without this trite device.

    5 of 6 people found this review helpful

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