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Lisa

Petoskey, MI, United States | Member Since 2008

HELPFUL VOTES

10 reviews
30 ratings
0 titles in library
26 purchased in 2013

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1Q84

UNABRIDGED
- by Haruki Murakami , Jay Rubin (translator) , Philip Gabriel (translator)
- Narrated by Allison Hiroto , Marc Vietor , Mark Boyett
1Q84

UNABRIDGED (46 hrs and 50 mins)

By Haruki Murakami, Jay Rubin (translator), Philip Gabriel (translator)

Narrated By Allison Hiroto, Marc Vietor, Mark Boyett

Overall
(3009)
Performance
(2597)
Story
(2565)

The year is 1984 and the city is Tokyo.
A young woman named Aomame follows a taxi driver's enigmatic suggestion and begins to notice puzzling discrepancies in the world around her. She has entered, she realizes, a parallel existence, which she calls 1Q84 - "Q" is for "question mark". A world that bears a question....
Howard says: "Worth the investment."
"Take the time. Worth it."

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to 1Q84 again? Why?

It's long, but it's worth it. Loved this book, and I continue to think of it long after moving on.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Art Forger

UNABRIDGED
- by B. A. Shapiro
- Narrated by Xe Sands
The Art Forger

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs)

By B. A. Shapiro

Narrated By Xe Sands

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(179)
Performance
(154)
Story
(154)

Making a living reproducing famous artworks for a popular online retailer and desperate to improve her situation, Claire is lured into a Faustian bargain with Aiden Markel, a powerful gallery owner. She agrees to forge a painting - a Degas masterpiece stolen from the Gardner Museum - in exchange for a one-woman show in his renowned gallery. But when that very same long-missing Degas painting is delivered to Claire's studio, she begins to suspect that it may itself be a forgery. Her desperate search for the truth leads Claire into a labyrinth of deceit where secrets hidden since the late 19th century may be the only evidence that can now save her life.
Cynthia says: "The Art Forger"
"Worth a sale credit - listen to a sample first"

Overall
Performance
Story

Here's what I liked about this book: There weren't a lot of coincidences, not a lot of aha moments, and not a very forgiving attitude toward the main character.

Here's what I didn't like: The main character, the story's lack of depth, and the narration.

Regarding the narration: I felt the narrator's voice was too old for the character, too shaky, too verge-of-tears at all times. For someone who is neither an artist nor a collector, I needed to care about the characters to care about the story, and the narration left me wishing for a younger, hipper, and (while notably wronged and weak after her experiences) savvier person to take me through the processes.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Beautiful Ruins

UNABRIDGED
- by Jess Walter
- Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini
Beautiful Ruins

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 53 mins)

By Jess Walter

Narrated By Edoardo Ballerini

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(3810)
Performance
(3278)
Story
(3258)

The story begins in 1962. On a rocky patch of the sun-drenched Italian coastline, a young innkeeper, chest-deep in daydreams, looks out over the incandescent waters of the Ligurian Sea and spies an apparition: a tall, thin woman, a vision in white, approaching him on a boat. She is an actress, he soon learns, an American starlet, and she is dying. And the story begins again today, half a world away, when an elderly Italian man shows up on a movie studio's back lot - searching for the mysterious woman he last saw at his hotel decades earlier.
Cindy says: "Best Mistake I Ever Made On Audible..."
"Best Book of the Summer"

Overall
Performance
Story

Everything about this book was perfect for me - the rhythm of Walter's writing, the storylines, the closure at the end, and the narration. Not only my favorite book out of everything I've read by Walter, but my favorite book of the summer (and quite possibly the year).

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage

UNABRIDGED
- by Ann Patchett
- Narrated by Ann Patchett
This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage

UNABRIDGED (1 hr and 18 mins)

By Ann Patchett

Narrated By Ann Patchett

Overall
(2750)
Performance
(2283)
Story
(2290)

We are excited to present our members with a gift that is truly unique: an original essay, available exclusively here at Audible, written and voiced by best-selling author – and fellow listener – Ann Patchett. This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage is a very real love story, and one that is much more about the journey than the destination.
Lee says: "Was this our holiday present?"
"Favorite Patchett Piece"

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you like best about this story?

I am a Patchett devotee, and rank most of her fiction in my top tier. But this morsel of non-fiction was my favorite piece in her body of work.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
What Now?

UNABRIDGED
- by Ann Patchett
- Narrated by Ann Patchett
What Now?

UNABRIDGED (53 mins)

By Ann Patchett

Narrated By Ann Patchett

Overall
(19)
Performance
(6)
Story
(6)

Based on her lauded commencement address at Sarah Lawrence College, this stirring essay by best-selling author Ann Patchett offers hope and inspiration for anyone at a crossroads, whether graduating, changing careers, or transitioning from one life stage to another. With wit and candor, Patchett tells her own story of attending college, graduating, and struggling with the inevitable question, "What now?"
Anastasia says: "A commencement message for life"
"Quick! Read it! Give it to others!"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up What Now? in three words, what would they be?

Ann Patchett narrates.

What did you like best about this story?

There's something so special about listening to the author narrate his or her own story. And here's the best part - this is more than a story. It's a bit of advice, a personal tale of bump and rise, and even though it's set up as a graduation speech, it's inspirational for everyone.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Forgotten Garden

UNABRIDGED
- by Kate Morton
- Narrated by Caroline Lee
The Forgotten Garden

UNABRIDGED (20 hrs and 38 mins)

By Kate Morton

Narrated By Caroline Lee

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(3787)
Performance
(1714)
Story
(1735)

Thirty-eight year old Cassandra is lost, alone, and grieving. Her much loved grandmother, Nell, has just died and Cassandra, her life already shaken by a tragic accident 10 years ago, feels like she has lost everything known and dear to her.
Susan says: "Comfort food for my ears"
"Delightful"

Overall
Performance
Story

Where does The Forgotten Garden rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Forgotten Garden, as with this author's other novels, is a very easy read/listen that is well-written, compelling and fun. I tend to go through periods of heavy listening to serious pieces then need to come out of the fog with light, comedic work. I transition back to the heavy like I'm headed down a staircase, and this is where Kate Morton's work always falls. Not frivolous, not too dark. I especially appreciate the pace. Where many serious, historical fiction or classic novels take a lot of time to discuss in great detail people, places, thoughts, concepts or scenes, Kate Morton's writing is always perfectly paced, non-skim-able, and does not idle where one may lose interest. Her storylines are exciting and compelling, and their lightness does not implore one to search for hidden meanings or wonder about loose threads.

Any additional comments?

One of my main reasons for purchasing any Kate Morton book is the narrator. I enjoy how she handles Morton's lovely writing - they're a perfect match.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
An Echo in the Bone: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by Davina Porter
An Echo in the Bone: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (45 hrs and 58 mins)

By Diana Gabaldon

Narrated By Davina Porter

Overall
(3849)
Performance
(2121)
Story
(2120)

Jamie Fraser knows from his time-traveling wife Claire that, no matter how unlikely it seems, America will win the Revolutionary War. But that truth offers little solace, since Jamie realizes he might find himself pointing a weapon directly at his own son - a young officer in the British army. And Jamie isn't the only one with a tormented soul - for Claire may know who wins the conflict, but she certainly doesn't know whether or not her beloved Jamie survives.
Lisa says: "Excellent"
"Perfectly Perfect"

Overall
Performance
Story

I'm just starting the final part to this audiobook, and I'm absolutely loving it. It did take a bit to build for me much like the first in the Outlander series, but by now I can barely take time to write this review without longing to hear Davina Porter's fabulous narration of Diana Gabaldon's amazing storylines.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Jane Boleyn: The Infamous Lady Rochford

UNABRIDGED
- by Julia Fox
- Narrated by Julia Barrie
Jane Boleyn: The Infamous Lady Rochford

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 26 mins)

By Julia Fox

Narrated By Julia Barrie

Overall
(36)
Performance
(5)
Story
(4)

Jane Rochford was the sister-in-law to Anne Boleyn and Lady of the Bedchamber to Catherine Howard, whom she followed to the scaffold in 1542. Hers is a life of extraordinary drama as a witness to and participant in the greatest events of Henry's reign. Her supposed part in both Anne Boleyn's and Catherine Howard's downfall has led to her being reviled through the centuries.
Jennifer says: "Shines new light on Jane"
"Disappointing"

Overall
Performance
Story

What seemed like such a promising story about Jane Boleyn turned out to be a textbook-style narration of people and events centered around Anne and Henry. The author involves Jane in almost ridiculous reminders that the book is titled after her -- for example, after lengthy descriptions of Anne's life and events, the author uses phrases like, "Jane would surely have seen this, and probably felt happy for her sister-in-law." There is no real story about any of the people in the book, just a descriptive timeline of sorts, with occasional references to where Jane may have been, what she might have thought about her in-laws, and what she may have worn. I'm almost finished listening and, truthfully, I don't even want to continue, as I'd rather be entertained than lectured to.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Game: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

UNABRIDGED
- by Laurie R. King
- Narrated by Jenny Sterlin
The Game: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 21 mins)

By Laurie R. King

Narrated By Jenny Sterlin

Overall
(302)
Performance
(157)
Story
(156)

The seventh Mary Russell novel finds her searching for the missing Kimball O'Hara, the famous "Kim" of the Rudyard Kipling novel.
Tracey says: "Not King's usual fare"
"Such A Disappointment"

Overall
Performance
Story

I love this series, but the narrator's voice makes me think less of a clever, witty 20-something young woman and more of a grisled, prissy old lady. She makes Holmes sound mean and boring. I feel badly for Laurie King, who deserves better! Listening to this piece has me making faces and snide retorts at the end of most paragraphs.

2 of 9 people found this review helpful
The Fiery Cross

ABRIDGED
- by Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by Geraldine James
The Fiery Cross

ABRIDGED (8 hrs and 30 mins)

By Diana Gabaldon

Narrated By Geraldine James

Overall
(976)
Performance
(237)
Story
(238)

The Fiery Cross is Diana Gabaldon's fifth novel in her award-winning Outlander series, featuring 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century time-traveling wife, Claire Randall.
Debra says: "Waiting for Davina"
"Completely Disappointed"

Overall
Performance
Story

I read the entire Outlander series years ago, and am now listening on audiobook because of the excellent opportunity provided by Audible.com to catch up with my favorite characters before the newest book is released this fall. Since all previous books were narrated by Davina Porter, and since I had heard an interview with her describing her narration of all the books, I assumed this would be too, when I purchased it this evening. SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT! This narrator is so fast, so monotone that it is truly difficult to even follow the storyline. I'm not sure why Audible.com chose this selection as the fifth (and, I see, the sixth as well) in the series, but I'm hoping they offer the UNABRIDGED version narrated by Mrs. Porter before I'm through with this disheartening one.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful