Deanna Clark

The reader has many different voices and accents to add to the interest of the story.

What I liked was how realistic and non-fantastical a portrait of a family it was.

I have never heard any other preformances by Mac Duffie, but I would consider her again for the future.

Portrait of a struggling family with never-ending optimism.

It was nice to get what you need out of the book without having a forced message overlying it all. It was more of a "put yourself in someone else's shoes" type of story. It gives you a full picture of a girl and how she lived and what came to form her in that way. Interesting and honest.

It's not literary greatness, nevertheless, it was good. It was a little better than what I like to call fluff. This is a story and you just have to take it for what it is. I am a little harsh on books, but I like books that give us an inside look into characters and what makes them act as they do, so this was good. It is a story about people redefining their own self worth and family, finding a way to get through the rough patches of life.

Knowing someone in the same type of situation (obese and has difficulties leaving the home) made it more interesting to me. I could give other spoilers, but one of the most memorable moments was when the man was able to leave his prison for the first time in so many years.

I don't remember which preformed which character, but I preferred the one who narrated the man.

There are only four characters mentioned in the book at all really. It is a story of an alone obese man, a struggling, abandoned teen, a pregnant young mother, and an alcoholic mother. Only the teen and the obese man have their own narrative in it.

Although the topic and characters are somewhat depressing, listening to this book was not. It had some sad moments, but overall, it was easy to listen to and a little uplifting.

Perserverance, Strength, and Inspiration.

The Old Man is the focus of the story. You connect with his pain and struggle and want to be able to take over the ropes for him for a little bit if you could.

His voice was so lulling yet dramatic. He was so perfect for this book. I loved this book before listening to it, but after hearing Donald Sutherland read it, I love it even more.

It is definitely one you can listen to in one sitting, becasue of its length and interest. I would listen to it again as well for a quick yet powerful read.