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Anne

Paddington, Australia

20
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 33 reviews
  • 38 ratings
  • 97 titles in library
  • 5 purchased in 2013
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FOLLOWERS
6

  • Kings in Grass Castles

    • UNABRIDGED (17 hrs and 26 mins)
    • By Mary Durack
    • Narrated By Jenny Seedsman
    Overall
    (10)
    Performance
    (3)
    Story
    (3)

    "'Cattle Kings' ye call us, then we are Kings in grass castles that may be blown away upon a puff of wind..." - Patrick Durack, 1878. When Patrick Durack left Ireland for Australia in 1853, he was to found a dynasty of pioneers, and build an empire of cattle-land across the great stretches of Australia. His grand-daughter, Mary Durack, with a profound sense of family history, has rebuilt the saga of the Duracks, a saga that is the story of Australia itself, huge, pioneering, and tremendous in concept.

    Anne says: "disappointing"
    "disappointing"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I wanted to read this story because I had visited the Durack homestead at the Ord River in the Kimberley Western Australia and because I recently met a young man who is a descendant of the Durack family. They were a remarkable Irish pioneer family. However, this particular account is sadly dreadfully tedious and boring. It covers far too much detail like a family diary.

    Much of the detail is not really required to provide a good account of the family sage. Too many suppositions are made to interpret the early Durack's thoughts.
    This in the only audible book I have found boring. I was determined to listen to the end but it never improved. I hope that someone with writing skill can redo this particular story and concentrate on a shorter span of their saga. It would be a tale worth writing in a more entertaining and readable style by a talented writer.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Secrets of the Tides

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 10 mins)
    • By Hannah Richell
    • Narrated By Emilia Fox
    Overall
    (5)
    Performance
    (3)
    Story
    (3)

    The Tides are a family full of secrets. Returning to Clifftops, the rambling family house high on the Dorset coastline, youngest daughter Dora hopes for a fresh start, for herself and the new life she carries. But can long-held secrets ever really be forgiven? And even if you can forgive, can you ever really learn to love again? Secrets of the Tides is the spellbinding debut from Hannah Richell; a rich and compelling family drama with a dark thread of suspense at its heart.

    Anne says: "A compelling story"
    "A compelling story"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I found this story captivating. It was skilfully written painting vivid pictures of the characters and events that unfold. Hannah Richell writes with great insight into the complexities of family relationships. If only more families had the maturity and sense to, in time work through the aftermath of their mistakes, loss and grief.
    I eagerly await her next novel The Shadow Year due to be published this year 2013. I hope Audible will add this one soon!
    Highly recommended.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Peaches for Monsieur le Curé: Chocolat, Book 3

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 24 mins)
    • By Joanne Harris
    • Narrated By Rula Lenska, Gareth Armstrong
    Overall
    (15)
    Performance
    (11)
    Story
    (11)

    It isn't often you receive a letter from the dead. When Vianne Rocher receives a letter from beyond the grave, she has no choice but to follow the wind that blows her back to Lansquenet, the village in south-west France where, eight years ago, she opened up a chocolate shop.

    Deb says: "Vianne Never Stays Long Enough"
    "Intriguing …… the best yet!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is Joanne Harris’s best yet. I have read most of her books and enjoy her writing but this one surprised me I could not have predicted the twists in this story. It was a terrific sequel to Chocolat and I hope there will be more to come. Highly recommended.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Brother Fish

    • UNABRIDGED (31 hrs and 49 mins)
    • By Bryce Courtenay
    • Narrated By Humphrey Bower
    Overall
    (1078)
    Performance
    (417)
    Story
    (414)

    From the author of The Power of One comes an inspiring human drama of three lives brought together and changed forever by the extraordinary events of recent history. Inspired by real events, Bryce Courtenay's new novel tells the story of three people from vastly differing backgrounds. All they have in common is a tough beginning in life.

    Mimi Routh says: "And a Cast of Thousands!"
    "Terrific story: don't be put off by the name!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The further I got into this book the more I loved it and hung on every word. I have to admit the title put me off. I wondered what sort of book could be called “Brother Fish” but I was soon to discover it was a most entertaining and interesting one!

    It is a great example of Bryce Courtenay fabulous story telling ability. The narration by Humphrey Bower was excellent. He is very easy to listen to and as an Australian I did find his Aussie accent charming if somewhat exaggerated. Nevertheless it was a delightful depiction of a young man from a rural isolated island.

    The story is fascinating with aspects life in the Korean War, a tiny island off the coast of Tasmania, the USA for a black orphan boy and Shanghai over a period of about 80 years. These were all beautifully woven together. I was sorry when it finished but the ending was a good one!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Secret Keeper: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 58 mins)
    • By Kate Morton
    • Narrated By Caroline Lee
    Overall
    (32)
    Performance
    (30)
    Story
    (26)

    England, 1959. Laurel Nicolson is 16 years old, dreaming alone in her childhood tree house during a family celebration at their home, Green Acres Farm. She spies a stranger coming up the long road to the farm and then observes her mother, Dorothy, speaking to him. And then she witnesses a crime. Fifty years later, Laurel is a successful and well-regarded actress, living in London. She returns to Green Acres for Dorothy’s ninetieth birthday and finds herself overwhelmed by memories and questions she has not thought about for decades.

    Karen says: "Another Kate Morton success"
    "Enjoyable novel"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Don't be put off by a weak start.... it soon picks up and is all absorbing. I loved this story and there were enough interesting twists towards the end to keep me enthralled. I was sorry when it finished. Not enough of Kate Morton's books have been made audio unfortunately. I would love to be able to listen to all of them.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Golden Earrings

    • UNABRIDGED (20 hrs and 1 min)
    • By Belinda Alexandra
    • Narrated By Caroline Lee
    Overall
    (50)
    Performance
    (45)
    Story
    (44)

    Catalina, grand-daughter of Spanish refugees, is a disciplined student with the School of the Paris Opera Ballet. Little gets inthe way of her career until the visit of an otherworldly being, who leaves her a mysterious pair of golden earrings. Given a quest, Catalina realises she must explore her own Spanish heritage and makes the connection between the visitor and ‘La Rusa’, a young Andalusian flamenco star. La Rusa died in exile in Paris in 1952, her death ruled as suicide. But as Catalina begins to discover, there were those in the community, who had good reason for wanting La Rusa dead.

    Anne says: "Fabulous story"
    "Fabulous story"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I loved this story and was so sorry when it finished. Belinda Alexandra is a fabulous story teller and this is yet another of wonderful story. This time set in Spain and Paris which is quite different to her previous novels. I did not know much about the Spanish civil war or Spanish culture and I found this fascinating. It was well researched. The characters are varied and complex. I am hoping that there will be many more novels written by this author.
    Highly recommended.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Sleep, Pale Sister

    • ABRIDGED (3 hrs and 7 mins)
    • By Joanne Harris
    • Narrated By Charles Collingwood, Judy Bennett
    Overall
    (3)
    Performance
    (1)
    Story
    (2)

    Henry Chester, a domineering and puritanical Victorian artist, is in search of the perfect model. In nine-year-old Effie he finds her. Ten years later, lovely, childlike and sedated, Effie seems the ideal wife. But something inside her is about to awaken. Drawn by her lover, Mose, into a dangerous underworld of intrigue and blackmail, she meets Fanny Miller, the brothel-keeper, and her shadowy daughter, Marta, murdered ten years ago on the day of Henry's weekly visit.

    Anne says: "a different one form Joanne Harris"
    "a different one form Joanne Harris"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I wondered about this book when I first started listening, then it drew me in. I found it fascinating! Such a different type of novel to Joanne Harris's previous novels. The characters were marvelous. Well worth a read. Highly recommended!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Gentlemen and Players

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 28 mins)
    • By Joanne Harris
    • Narrated By Steven Pacey
    Overall
    (4)
    Performance
    (2)
    Story
    (2)

    At St Oswald’s, a long-established boys’ grammar school in the north of England, a new year has just begun. For the staff and boys of the school, a wind of unwelcome change is blowing. Suits, paperwork and Information Technology rule the world; and Roy Straitley, the eccentric veteran Latin master, is finally – reluctantly – contemplating retirement. But beneath the little rivalries, petty disputes and everyday crises of the school, a darker undercurrent stirs.

    Anne says: "a good mystery"
    "a good mystery"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Quite unlike previous Joanne Harris novels this story set in an established private boy’s school and warms up after the first few chapters into an intriguing mystery. It takes some interesting twists and turns and kept me spellbound until the end. Having been a teacher in a private boy’s school, I did think that Harris depicted the range of characters and attitudes very well. It made me smile to recognise some! This added to the charm of the story but also reflects how the demands are so great that some teachers sadly make it their whole life and they are easily discarded when their “used by” date occurs! Highly recommended.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Outlander

    • UNABRIDGED (33 hrs and 8 mins)
    • By Diana Gabaldon
    • Narrated By Davina Porter
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (11059)
    Performance
    (5682)
    Story
    (5489)

    Why we think it’s a great listen: An all-time Audible favorite that mixes historic fiction, adventure, and romance with one of the most fascinating literary devices: time travel. Outlander introduces an exhilarating world of heroism and breathtaking thrills as one woman is torn between past and present, passion and love. In 1945, former combat nurse Claire Randall returns from World War II and joins her husband for a second honeymoon. But their blissful reunion is shattered....

    Lulu says: "The Reason for the Existence of Audio Books"
    "a bit tedious"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I had mixed feelings about this book but listened to the end. The storyline has merit and includes romance, mystery, sensuality, Scottish history and brutality. Claire is a wonderfully warm character, a very attractive young woman who is propelled back two centuries in time, Jamie has all the attributes a man could wish for: a handsome young Scotsman, strong, popular, natural leader, capable warrior, thoughtful lover with an inheritance but outlawed by the English.
    The narrator is excellent but the story falls short. It drags on and on in a repetitious and descriptive way. It lacks the literary skill to make it worthwhile perusing. It is an appropriate level of reading for a below average audience. A very light read! It is not worth reading the rest of the series but I am sure it is a good money spinner for the author and publisher.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • All Together Now

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 24 mins)
    • By Monica McInerney
    • Narrated By Catherine Milte
    Overall
    (6)
    Performance
    (5)
    Story
    (5)

    This latest addition to Bolinda's range of Monica McInerney titles is a wonderful collection of stories to add to any audio library. This is a collection of short fiction written over the past 10 years by one of Australia's most popular writers.

    Anne says: "good short stories"
    "good short stories"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I am not one for short stories usually but I have to admit I did enjoy this. I was away on safari in Africa and I discovered that I had selected short stories. Oh no, at first I thought but I am glad I persisted and gave it a go because I found the stories entertaining in the usual Monica McInerney manner. Particulary good if you have interruptions, they were easy to pick up again and held my interest.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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