San Rafael, CA, United States | Member Since 2004
"Completely hilarious!"
I love David Sedaris' writing. He is very funny. There is so much to enjoy about this book, that I wouldn't know where to begin. I laughed from start to finish!
"I really enjoyed this book!"
Ree Drummond's writing style is so engaging. She is funny and self deprecating which makes her very likeable. Follow her true life story of introduction into her husband's cattle ranching life was fascinating, and their love story is incredibly sweet.
I really enjoyed the tension she builds with the the little cliffhangers along their way to marriage. Even though I knew that they would end up together, she made me feel the real emotional experience of falling in love.
Obviously I love Ree, but, through Ree's eyes, it's impossible not to fall in love with Marlboro Man along the way.
Yes and I would have if I could have.
For me, it was very important to have the author also narrate the story. It added a lot to the experience for me.
"Flawless!"
That I learned so much. I found out what a huge difference there is between knowing about historical events versus being able to understand them in context of human lives. Ken Follett is the master at this!
There were so many! I enjoyed Billy Williams courageously standing up for himself when his life was on the line in the court-martial hearing. I was cheering for him!
He brought everything to life - wonderful narration!
I loved so many characters, but Ethel Williams was probably my favorite.
I can't wait to listen to the next book in the series!
"Terrible! Started OK, but went steeply downhill."
I don't know - a rewrite or better editing? It didn't make good sense to me and seemed disjointed. I never abandon a book once I start, even the really bad ones get finished. This one was almost a rare exception, I really couldn't stand it by the end.
For me the religious overtones and subject matter just didn't click. It came across as artificial and creepy - especially in the last 100 pages.
The narrator was fine. It was really the characters' literary voices that I found grating.
Honestly, it would be hard for me to know where to begin. The presentation of the protagonist wanting to "save" the (as described) virginal heroine just came across as creepy and unrelateable. If I wanted to read a bad, pulpy romance novel - I would have chosen one of those.
Maybe it just wasn't a good fit for my literary likes? I don't know, but I wouldn't buy anything written by this author again.
"This book is riveting and incredibly moving!"
Yes! It is a fascinating story, which also gives amazing insight into a critical time in history. It is so humbling to learn what was endured by our Pacific P.O.W's. The core message that I received from the book is that man's true strength lies in his capacity for endurance and resilience.
I loved most of the characters, even the awful ones, because they were so believable. The author does such a good job of developing and humanizing her characters - even when they are unimaginably evil people.
I love his voice - he added gravitas to the book. Also, his inflection helped me to better understand some of the Japanese terms that I might have struggled with in reading the book.
I could have listened to it all in one sitting, although it was a bit too long for that to be practical. I listened to it all over a few days while doing housework, etc. It was excellent and I definitely got a lot more done just to have an excuse to listen a bit longer each time.
I am very moved and inspired by this book. I learned so much that I did not already know about the Pacific War. Also, it reminded me that humans can be so resilient and have such a capacity to endure the unendurable, process the effects, and then seek happiness in whatever new form it takes. It is quite a life affirming message in the midst of a horrific history of the Pacific P.O.W.'s experiences.
"Another Stephanie Plum joyride - just plain FUN!!"
I find this book and the Stephanie Plum series to be such a fun listen. It's light and fast paced - the perfect story to keep you laughing while you listen!
I don't think 5 minutes goes by without something pivotal happening - Evanovich sure knows how to get the reader engaged!
After listening to all of the audiobooks in this series, Lorelei King IS Stephanie Plum to me.
It could only happen to Stephanie Plum. ;-) lol
"Already one of my all-time favorite books!"
The protagonist, Jake, is wonderfully real, good hearted, and relatable. The world of 1958 & forward is so brilliantly detailed! I can't wait to re-read so that I can be there all over again! (Oh, except for maybe the Derry part which is SCARY!!) ;-)
I love the character of Jake because the reader gets to experience this amazing world along with him. He feels like an old friend by the time his (and the reader's) journey is over. I also loved the characters of Sadie, Al, and Deke.
He does great voices for the marginal characters, but his portrayal of Jake helps a lot to make that character even more human and relateable.
This story evoked both a lot of laughter and a lot of tears from me. I haven't loved a new book this much in a long long time!
This book is fascinating, beautiful, and heartbreaking. It's a masterpiece!
"AMAZING NARRATION!"
This is classic, terrifying Stephen King. What make this particular audiobook so great is that the narrator is EXTREMELY talented.
"Bad choice of narrator!"
I am a big fan of the Scarpetta series and am working my way through the books in order. I loved the story here, but the narrator's voice was not well suited to the character and was annoying at times. I really hope that there is a different narrator for future books in this series!
"Scary fun with a King classic!"
If you haven't read the book, it's a better story than the original movie (although the movie is great for what it is). If you have read the book and want to know if it's a good listen - it IS! The book has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid - the story scared me a lot then. Having the chance to revisit an old friend in this exciting format has been such a treat - and the story still scares me a lot now!