Cindy

In listening to this book, I kept waiting for something remotely redeeming to be introduced into an on slaught of illustrations about the lowest type of human behavior - but it never happened. Kind of depressing.

I felt a bit sideswiped by this story, in that I wasn't quite prepared for the hateful and yet detached abuse this man endured as a child. It's pretty hard to listen to, and I found myself dreading those parts of the story. On the other hand, it's pretty fabulous to listen to his decisions to become a better man, be a better father, and not become like his abuser.

I thought this book was beautifully narrated, and I loved the story. I learned many things about WWII, and it was interesting hearing a perspective from a country other than America. My only complaint is that I think it ended too abruptly. Actually, I could have handled the ending if there had been a sequel written to fill in all the information that was left out at the end; for example, Anna's story is so compelling and yet we never find out what happened to her after she fled into the mountains or what made her decide to establish the business she undertook after the war; nor does the author reveal their journey on the boat as she goes through heroin withdrawl. I think it would have made the story much richer at the end, as Nick's story was not nearly as interesting or dramatic, although I enjoyed hearing about him too.

This was an interesting and engaging story. I just wish the author would have made the main characters a little older and wiser - they seemed a bit one dimensional and underdeveloped.

The best part about this book was DAVINA PORTER!!!! She can take a mediocre story and make it into something special... she is the best!!!

The narration of this story was wonderful, I love Simon Vance! But, even under his excellent narration, the story line was weak and inconsistent, sounding more like a shallow romance novel and much less like the intricate adventure stories that preceded it. This book was not nearly as interesting as the previous books, and in some parts was painfully predictable, cliche, and sappy. Phedre and Joscelin are barely a part of this story, with Phedre coming off more like Mary Poppins and Joscelin spouting an inane comment here and there in her wake. She has none of her whit or cunning and poor Joscelin has practically been neutered he's so bland and unimposing. And what happened to Hyacinthe! Why bring him into the story at all if you're not going to develop his character somewhat? It's just way more irritating than interesting, and it certainly doesn't help the story. It would have been better to leave out some of the characters, rather than water them down to a shadow of what they'd been in the previous books. What happened?

While this book was an interesting read, it left too much unsaid, unexplored and unexplained. This was one of those rare occasions where I found the movie to be much richer and more thought provoking than the book (which really surprised me).

I loved this book. It is beautifully written with language that is so rich and descriptive it teases the imagination.

This was an engaging read, with interesting historical references. I enjoyed the parallel story lines, and the very plausible concept of genetic memory, but I don't think this book can be compared to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Other than it's historical foundation, which many books have, I'm not seeing the connection except as an advertising gimmick.

The narration was pleasant, but sometimes a bit monotone; however, that's probably much better than a narration that sounds like fingernails down a blackboard!

My only complaint - it ended too soon!!!!! I loved this book, it grabbed me from the start and I didn't want it to end. I really wish he would have developed the relationship between Bran and Marrien more fully.... I think we need a next installment!!!!!

If you miss the juvenile, pubescent, shallow, biting humor of your High School days, you'll definitely want to get this one!