carmen

Ok I loved Burton and Swinburne. When I heard the forward to this book I was excited because I thought it was going to be a Steampunk twist on a what happens to all the people who get lost in the bermuda triangle. The author got the story idea that he read from a journal that was found in a recovered shipwreck. It was about two missionaries. I am still intrigued. Then it just gets wierd and the set up of the other planet was too much. There was too much explaining of the society. The story was relatively good but too much time was invested in details.I would have liked a little more narrative and less expository. The love story between the two main characters was good because they were both broken in their own way and made whole by each other, but it took a long way to get there, and it was not ultimately satisfying. The narration was good, but I kept thinking, how much better this would have been narrated by Gerard Doyle, who narrated Burton and Swinburne trilogy; which, did I mention I loved.

I really loved the story and the narration was great. Additionally, there was preface by Neil Gaiman and a post interview between Gaiman and Hodgman. That was a real bonus. I really love Neil Gaiman presents I get to enjoy things I normally would not have tried. I bought the book because John Hodgman was narrating. The story was universal and timeless. Pun intended.

A lot of people are comparing it to Hitchhikers Guide to the galaxy, which it is on the same vain as far as tone and comedy. I see more the comparisons to Voltaire. I feel like Carmody and Candide had similar journeys. Everywhere they went was "the best of all possible worlds" or was it.

I got this book because of John Hodgman. What is so great about listening to him is when he narrates it is performance. His characterization are both ironic and funny it made the story very entertaining.

Where the prize is not always the prize.

I really loved this adventure. Neil Gaiman really knows how to put together a story with a narrator to get the best of all possible experiences. I definitely recommend this and if you like it then I would suggest Year Zero for narration and Candide for story.

It is four stories about post apocalyptic California. At some point each story intersects.I love the way the story unfolds. You get information from different points of view so you learn more in each story Very entertaining. It was short so I listened to it twice so I could pick up on more things. I enjoy Peter. Clines. The narration was very good too.I bought it on sale I thought it was fabulous.

Audible is the perfect format for this book. The story is told through correspondence of the characters. The characters are read by different narrators which enhances the experience The story of survival is told through letters remembering what happened during the German occupation of Guernsey Island. Amidst the burning of books the people of the town stood together in their love of books. And they had a secret society that supported each other. The unique way the story unfolds is touching and inspiring without being overly sappy. It tells two stories, the one that happened during the occupation and the one that is happening presently in the correspondents. In this way, you can see the characters from different points of view and you become very invested. I had trouble putting the story down.

Ian Mckensie brings all the characters to life. I love the way he makes every day people doing normal things endearing and interesting. A lot of that is a testament to Alexander Mcall Smith who does that best. All of his books are about etraordinary ordinary people.

I love the way Angus and Mathew are so protective of Big Lou. Poor Big Lou, like most of us, seems to always attract the wierdos.

I think I probably would not have enjoyed Dominica as much because I probably would have read her as snooty and antagonistic. Ian mckensie reads her as a normal person who is flawed. That makes you kind of love her.

The moment that moved me to tears was between Mathew and Big Lou. Where you really got a sense that Big Lou has a big heart and Mathew is just inherently a good person. The funnier parts were Berties adventures although, if you were Bertie, you would probably be moved to tears.

The series started out with Pat moving to the big city and these are the people she meets and the things that happen. At least in my mind. I am sure everyone has their favorites, but to me Pat was the heart of it. When her and Mathew broke up I was sad but not disapointed because it was obvious that Miss Harmony and Mathew belong together. However, Pat was barely mentioned in the book except to say she was happy for Mathew and since moving out of edinborough she lost touch with Dominica and Angus. I am kind of disapointed because I was waiting to see if Pat would find love too or at least start collecting cats. I am still listening to the next one when I get my credit in four days.

so I started listening in the middle of the series with one of our thursdays is missing. I loved that book. bookworld was so fun. I read the reviews and couldn't understand why people were disappointed. Now I know because we love the real Thursday so much. I couldn't wait to see how it was going to all turn out with landon and friday and Hamlet. I am glad I started where I did because so far no book in the series disappoints. I have all the books in my library now and can't wait to listen to the next one. I also downloaded the big over easy a Nursery Crime (sounds hard boiled) I can't wait to hear that. If you love books which I am sure you do the Thurday Next series is sure to be enjoyable.

yes I would, although these stories were very relevent at the time There is also underlying truths that are relevant today. this is why Flannery O connor is one of the greatest authors of all time.

It is a collection of Flannery O connor stories there is no comparison

To be honest I did not like any of the characters. That is what is so great about the story telling. If we're honest though we di not like these people we all can relate some how.

Like I said I did't like any of these characters.

Is it just me or do they all die in the end.Which I guess is also timeless and universal, no one makes it out alive.

wel I am sure the print version was very nice, and it is a book about a very important author so you must go to the library and check out the hard copy. I am positive though that my review would be much better if read by paul hecht.

Of course the sausage dog played a key roll. But poor Von Iglefeld he still does not know what he did to offend Frau Benz

Well von iglefeld has a distinct personality and of course we like him better than Underholtzen and who wouldn't. However I could hang with the librarians Aunt who sounds like a hoot.

the narrator brings these characters to life in a very funny way. These are really very ordinary people who act extraordinary. doctoral candidates are like high school without the angst.

I left the review and came back and different questions were there so my answers may seem odd but if you were an expert in romance philology you would understand.

not Melrose Place

It is kind of the sci-fi version of Corduroy Mansions. it is about this apartment building in California and its residents. The residents get together to find out why their rent is so cheap. As you will learn from the story, Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answers. I liked the story because beside being a great mystery the characters are well developed so that the listener is invested in the mystery. Additionally there is mystery surrounding the characters.

The characterisations of each character were great. i had in my mind who the actors and actresses would be if it were a movie. I wonder if the narrator was channeling those actors.

If it seems to good to be true ... We all know how that ends. or perhaps the truth is stranger than science fiction.

I really enjoyed this listen. I think the characters were well developed. there was some twists and turns in the plot that kept you interested. But mostly the character development was great. They called themselves the scooby gang and boy did they uncover a mystery.

the Bold and the Beautiful. or maybe the not so Bold and not all that.

Everyone can probably identify with all the characters. They will either remind you of yourself at some stage in your life or they are like someone you know. In true Alexander Mcall Smith form they are a little larger in life. My favorite character was Bertie the very insightful 7 year old who new what he wanted.

When he talks through the characters he always puts you in their head, even though the thought may be Lol funny he takes tham very seriously, as much of us do with our ridiculous thoughts. Things you will laugh about later but it is very serious now, that is how the author portrays it.

Just like Pat, I would probably enjoy having dinner with Dominica and Angus. They could tell some stories.

This reminds me a little of the tales of Lake Wobeggan only Scottish. It's just little stories about a community of people with a little romance, a little angst, a little mystery , a little self discovery and a lot of laughs.