Rupe

I have great respect for Michael Chabon's intellect, I have to stretch my mental muscles to keep up and that can take away from enjoying his storytelling. I was here in Berkeley, frequenting the renown Telegraph Ave before, during and after the time frame of this story and I was a bit surprised by how fictional he made the setting. It is a street with much personal history for many of us, and he could have drawn on more of the culture even though that seemed to be part of his agenda. Probably a desire for more local nostalgia I was hoping to find.
The reader's performance was smooth and although I couldn't always keep the characters separated, it was done very well.

This is the 3rd book I've listen to pretending to be from a dog's viewpoint. Observing, philosophizing, making jokes (and in this case the dog has auto racing insights) and I just couldn't take it anymore. The book is so glowingly reviewed that I think there must be something wrong with me. Maybe if I come back as a dog in my next life I'll understand. Or maybe the author purposely dumbed himself down to personify a dog.

Not as compelling as the Worst Hard Times, but still a nice study in our ability to be a more responsible society that appreciates our natural resources. I find almost everything Teddy Roosevelt does to be inspiring. Full of interesting reporting of characters and heroes during the early 20th century.

I enjoyed the way the author brought out overlooked and forgotten details and persons leading up to the civil war. Ultimately it was all about a country that needed to move forward out it's own shame of slavery. How is it that disgusting evil can be so tenacious? As I grow older I am amazed at how short 150 years really is and I hope this country continues to move forward though I doubt we will ever experience such a social giant step as we did then. And yes it is a reminder of the greatness of Lincoln and leaves me wondering about the shallowness of modern day republicans,

I wish it were more mystical, I mean, you see everything coming at you, the love interest, the secrets, the family background. Perhaps it was written for a younger audience.

I think you are a brilliant storyteller and writer Mr Irving, but get on with the story because your rambling on with Owen just got on my nerves. Sorry, I just shut it off with a loooong breakdown during the Christmas play rehearsals and the importance of details of baby Jesus or angels or whatever... It felt like empty filler paper.

This story contains nerve grinding realism of the brutal existence in North Korea that I have not read anywhere else. It is immediately entertaining and yet so challenging to persevere. The main character is both inspiring and upon occasion, despicable. Hats off to this author. If this is not the masterpiece of his life, I look forward to anything else he writes. Not a book for everyone yet a very rewarding experience to anyone who can brave though it. To my father- a wounded veteran of the Korean War- I now take pride in the importance your fighting and wish it could have prevented the terrible totalitarian government that now rules there.

I love the honesty and mispronunciations of Patti's reading. Here she is -a brilliant, insightful intellect with the Jersey vernacular keeping her human. The book begins slow, almost ho-hum like light snowflakes that swirl around until it becomes ground cover, then the whole snowball effect takes place and by the end of the book you'll feel like you just rode an avalanche. It's an artistic, culturally penetrating, honest and most importantly- heartfelt love story.

Like a curtain call we get to enjoy the superstar showpeople from 150 years ago. How the author came upon this character and brought her back to life is amazing.

I'm trapped 1/4 into a book by a fabulous author but everything is drab and slow and there's no character to like and I don't want to give up too early but this is serious slogging!