"Disappointing"
I have really liked other books by Whitehead, but I could not get through this meandering reminiscence. It's obviously a period which has stayed with him in great detail, but I needed something to happen. His first novel was great though.
"Audio page-turner"
Once you start, you won't be able to stop. Gripping, dark, fascinating thriller. Agree with other reviewers about the ending, but that didn't ruin the book for me. Immediately bought her other two novels, which I would recommend as well.
"Surprising. Loopy. Fun."
It's hard to know what to compare "Bernadette" to, it's so unpredictable, entertaining and loopy. It's a perfect distraction: well-written, energetic, quirky. Great characters. I would definitely recommend.
Kathleen Wilhote's performance is an enormous plus. I'm glad I did the audio version for this book because of her and can't wait to find more books she reads. Extra bonus is her incredible vocal performance-- I assume that's her singing? Amazing.
"There Is Already a Better Version of This Book"
Consider instead, Life As We Knew It, a YA novel from 2006 with a nearly identical premise and a much better-developed arc in terms of the tension and feeling of impending and realistic peril.
I am almost tempted to reread The Age of Miracles, even though I didn't like it, to see if it was the performance rather than the writing which imparted such a wistful, infuriatingly passive quality to the main character.
Walker relies a lot on descriptive generalizations rather than creating scenes, often referencing the future ("That would be the last time I ate a grape..") which took me out of the story. I also felt she didn't get the age of her character accurately. Julia's concerns did not seem like those of an eleven year old.
I can't recommend this book, at least in its audio book form.
"Instant Classic"
For lovers of "A Wrinkle in Time," "Narnia" and Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series, this captivating story comes complete with a plucky heroine, a fast-paced and adventure-packed plot as well as an excellent performance by the narrator. Can???t wait to read everything else Meloy???s written.
"Gorgeous"
Wonderful story, told so expressively and with so much skill that you can't believe the author is only 25. Beautifully read by Susan Duerden. Highly recommend. I will probably listen to this one again.
"Wonderfully Told"
The main character in Walk Too Moons is original and surprising, as is the storytelling. Well-deserving of its Newberry Medal and a wonderful read by actress Hope Davis
"A Delight"
This book is so wonderful, both in the writing and the performance. I was sad for it to end. Highly recommend.
"Killed by casting"
The writing in these stories is wonderful, but the casting could not be worse. There are about two good readers in the whole book. I had to strain to get through the others. Loved the story about the camp for kids with sleep disorders. I particularly noticed a lot of mispronounced words in this audiobook, which was really distracting. I would read this one, not listen.
"Fantastic characters"
I loved this. Rachel Cusk is such a fine writer with an amazing ability to create subtle, dark and fascinating characters.