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Kenneth W. James
Chicago, IL, USA | Member Since 2004
- 13 reviews
- 52 ratings
- 385 titles in library
- 21 purchased in 2013
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![Naughty in Nice: A Royal Spyness Mystery | [Rhys Bowen]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SU8BnscqL._SL175_.jpg)
"Oh, my....what happened here?"
With no murder until chapter 22, it's difficult to think of this as a murder mystery. Additionally, with all the turmoil over which man to love, this moves very clearly into the romance genre. Not a bad genre, just not what is expected of a murder mystery. The narrator was energetic and her characterizations were excellent. Lady Georgiana sounded a bit like a cheerleader with a British accent from Southern California toward the end, but it was in keeping with the character as presented by the author. The story was certainly not what is expected of the usually excellent Ms. Bowen. Perhaps an editor had his/her way with the original manuscript a bit too much?
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
![Life after Life: The Investigation of a Phenomenon - Survival of Bodily Death | [Raymond A. Moody]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TmkMhCC0L._SL175_.jpg)
"A classic, worth listening to for that reason."
The narrator is far better suited to the reading of fiction. At times, the vocal technique was distracting and even annoying. The narrator would continue a line until his breath was completely used up, giving a pressed quality to his speech. This detracted from the flow of information that was inherent in the text. It is worthwhile to persist in listening, however, since Moody's book is considered foundational in the area of near-death studies.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
![Monster Hunter International | [Larry Correia]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MXLFYvRPL._SL175_.jpg)
"Very enjoyable!"
This is a great read/listen! Good plot, lots of action, and compelling characters that you care about. The thing that makes it even better to listen to than to read is the narrator. Oliver Wyman captures the characters intellectually, emotionally and most important, vocally. His overall sense of the story, which is apparent in the way he reads, makes the action come alive. Very definitely recommended.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful -
![Nation | [Terry Pratchett]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61ghPWPINZL._SL175_.jpg)
"Why music?"
Once again, a wonderful author's work is marred by "background music", a practice in books sold here that is increasing disturbingly. I want to hear the author's words, read by a good narrator (which Stephen Briggs is), and not some editor/director's idea of "mood music" to help me comprehend the story. With a storyteller like Terry Pratchett, no help is needed.
I would like to suggest that Audible put a warning on such recordings, perhaps something like, "Please note that this book has been recorded with background music that may detract from your enjoyment of the literature you thought you were purchasing." I, for one, would avoid books with such warnings. Another alternative in these days of easy audio editing would be to offer two versions: one with background music and one without.
By the way, this would of course have been a five star review provided that what I had received was an oral interpretation of the book that Mr. Pratchett wrote, instead of one that is "augmented" musically by some editor or "sound manager" who really needs to find another line of work, very quickly.12 of 13 people found this review helpful -
![The Beast of Blackslope: The Sherlock Files #2 | [Tracy Barrett]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gJPFyZPBL._SL175_.jpg)
"Bring back Mr. Pittu, please."
The book may have been good, but the narrator can't carry it off. Little distinction among characters, and much of it sounds like a first read-through with no directorial reflection or correction. Children's voices are not whiny, and boredom doesn't pervade their inflection patterns all the time, and yet that's what it seems this narrator is doing. The narrator on Book 1, David Pittu, was excellent, with good characterization and appropriate vocal subtlety for the story-line. I see this current narrator is also on board for book 3. I guess I'll not be listening to any more of these.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
![Streets of Panic Park: Goosebumps Horrorland #12 | [R. L. Stine]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61qhSex3mAL._SL175_.jpg)
"Why background music?"
The "background music" was so loud it overpowered the narrator. Who wants music in an audiobook, anyway? Either the producer/director/publisher of the audiobook didn't believe the narrator was good enough to carry it off (and I can't comment on that, since the narrator's track was inaudible above the din of mood music), or they believed the listener couldn't follow the plot without some assistance. Either way, this was a waste of a book credit. Sad, too, because Stine's writing is so enjoyable.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful -
![Goosebumps Horrorland, Book 9: Welcome to Camp Slither | [R. L. Stine]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/6132pLFp0aL._SL175_.jpg)
"Unnecessary and distracting background music."
The "background music" was so loud it overpowered the narrator. Who wants music in an audiobook, anyway? Either the producer/director/publisher of the audiobook didn't believe the narrator was good enough to carry it off (and I can't comment on that, since the narrator's track was inaudible above the din of mood music), or they believed the listener couldn't follow the plot without some assistance. Either way, this was a waste of a book credit. Sad, too, because Stine's writing is so enjoyable.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
![Goosebumps HorrorLand, Book 6: Who's Your Mummy? | [R. L. Stine]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HZPhiy4FL._SL175_.jpg)
"Audiobook?"
The "background music" was so loud it overpowered the narrator. Who wants music in an audiobook, anyway? Either the producer/director/publisher of the audiobook didn't believe the narrator was good enough to carry it off (and I can't comment on that, since the narrator's track was inaudible above the din of mood music), or they believed the listener couldn't follow the plot without some assistance. Either way, this was a waste of a book credit. Sad, too, because Stine's writing is so enjoyable.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
![A New Orleans Voudou Priestess: The Legend and Reality of Marie Laveau | [Carolyn Morrow Long]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Mm3DZFllL._SL175_.jpg)
"Interesting book, problematic reader."
This book is a well-researched historical exploration of Marie Laveau, and deserves to be read. However, the choice of the reader worked against the text so much that I was unable to finish the book. I had read it in print form, and was eager to listen to it and reflect on the author's analyses of historical documents as I listened. The reader mispronounced many of the key names in the book, and the vocal quality was orotund and lethargic, making it very difficult to listen to. What made it even more frustrating was that the overall pitch of the reader's voice was perfect for the content. I only wish he had taken the time (or been given the opportunity) to practice the reading and to receive feedback on his oral interpretation from someone in a position to correct errors and problematic phrasing (like, perhaps, the author?).
4 of 5 people found this review helpful -
![Fer-De-Lance | [Rex Stout]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41TF6Ma+ueL._SL175_.jpg)
"Problems with transmission."
The book is wonderful, the narrator is perfect--so why didn't I give this 5 stars? Because there are gaps in the audio recording. Small ones, though some go on for a few words. Generally the book can be understood, but the gaps are problematic. I wonder if some audio genius at Audible can look into this and correct the gaps.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful