J. Facey

A very balanced and well written account of a mother's loving yet candid view of her daughter's life.

This is not the type of book where one ends up having a favorite character. Cissy, Whitney and all the people Cissy wrote about are viewed objectively. The listener does not even leave disliking Bobby Brown. The listener is able to remain detached and learn more about Whitney, which is the point of listening to the audiobook.

Robin Miles is simply the best. Her narration is always suited to whatever she narrates. Although she did not try to mimic Cissy's voice or speech pattern, she captured all the nuances and emotions intended.

Yes.... it captured my attention from start to finish.

You definitely will not be disappointed. Whitney had a disease called addiction that she just was not able to overcome. Cissy never made excuses for Whitney, she merely told her story. It seems Whitney started dabbling in drugs at a time when entertainers did not realize the potential negative effects.

This author was trying very hard to scare and to conjure up horror. I did not get it. I think it is supposed to be a classic so maybe its me but I do not like overly contrived plot details like these.

I kept overlooking this book because although I have loved many of King's earlier books, in later years it has been hit or miss for me - some books I could not even finish. I was totally satisfied with this book. Even though one could argue that time travel is an out there theory, the plot took the reader right along with it and made every minute of the story believable and even relatable. The narration is also on point. At the end of the story I found myself missing the protagonist and feeling like I was parting with a companion.

I totally did not know Harry Belafonte this way. I had not known how important he was to the civil rights movement and I had known how big of an entertainer he was in his time. Belafonte does come across as somewhat arrogant but the reader is able to overlook this because his contribution is so vast (assuming all he says is true and I think he is credible). The reader also realizes that entertainment was actually the secondary role in his life and tackling social causes was the primary. As mentioned before, he has a pronounced ego but I suppose that worked for him in instances when he needed to be strong and self-assured. He has strong opinions on public figures that I do not always agree with but that is uniquely who he is - he usually speaks his mind. I also question some of the things he found necessary to include in the book like MLK's true feelings about his wife - it was not important to Belafonte's story and not his business to reveal. Like him a lot or a little, it is an interesting book that is well written and engagingly narrated.

This author had me since the Power of One. His books are always a tour de force. The characters are ALWAYS well developed and generally complex (meaning they are worth having a story told about them). Courtenay's books teaches about history, social systems and cultures in a way that the reader does not mind at all. His books are always a fantastic ride. The stories are always interesting, the dialogue believable - never cliched, preachy or overly verbose unless necessary to the plot. The only thing I do not like with many of Courtenay's books are the details about war and/or boxing when those elements are a part of the story. That of course does not mean anything is wrong with those subjects, just that I do not particularly like endless details on these subjects. The pairing of narrator Humphrey Bower with Courtenay is a marriage made in heaven. Bower is exceptionally talented and is a master at different accents and dialects. It would be awkward for me to listen to Courtenay's work narrated by anyone else. Courtenay is the #1 author in his country, Australia. He is extremely prolific and has written many books. He has indicated in his interviews that he has many more books to write before he dies and he therefore maintains a very disciplined writing schedule. This tells you that this man oozes with writing gift and story ideas.

This book was so funny! I loved it! Even watching Andy on Watch What Happens did not reveal this very funny side of him. I totally enjoyed his funny twists and creative ways of telling all the stories in this book. I love his honesty - not self deprecating, just honest. As mad as I was with the obviously biased way he treated Teresa Guidice at the last RHONJ reunion (2011), I am now grudgingly able to lighten up on him somewhat. Prior to his shredding of Teresa, I did not have a particular feeling one way or the other about him. After Teresa, I did not like him. Now I have somewhat forgiven him. He came alive in a new and colorful way for me. By the way, his narration is to die for. For that I gave him a solid 10/10. Get this book. It is a light, refreshing and easy listen. You will be pleased you did. I may even listen more than once.

Plot - believable, not at all far-fetch and refreshingly different.
Character development - satisfactory. The main characters are multidimensional and likeable and have you supporting them.
Pace - also satisfactory. This is not a story that have your adrenaline going crazy but advances at a pace that is just right to allow for character development without having the story dragging.
Boring factor - none really. This book kept me engaged the entire time.
Narrator - Her voice was pleasing and appropriate.
Any weak area - maybe the ending. I felt like it was a slight bit of a let down until I realize that there is a follow-up book, which I will also get.

First of all this book is fairly boring. I agree with the reviewer that called this book a long PR statement. The queen is portrayed as a one dimensional caricature. It almost seem like the writer was afraid to present all sides of this lady. I have no doubt she is a disciplined and remarkable woman but to present her as perfect or near perfect is ludicrous. The people that were considered anti-establishment like Princess Diana were also presented in a one dimensional way - completely in a negative light. I cannot say I came away with any new insights in the queen and regretted wasting my credit. The narrator also has a monotone way of speaking.

Except for the narrator's changing accent (which was a little odd but not really off-putting), it was a relaxing listen with a good amount of non-frivolous information.

The story is so beautiful and well written. It is told from each of the major characters' points of view and in each of their voices. The characters were remarkably well developed and real - nothing cliched nor formularic. The nuances of the time in history, the interpersonal relationships and style of speaking were captured perfectly. This story is a celebration of the strength and resilience of the human spirit. After the book was quickly made into the movie, detractors from the black community spoke out against the depiction of the black characters but as a black person myself, I know this story is an accurate portrayal a slice of a time in our recent history. Although we are grateful for the progress made in terms of race relations, there is nothing wrong with telling these stories as they are told with respect and sensitivity. They tell the stories of unseen unsung heroes who through small acts help to make huge necessary changes. They speak to our growth as human beings, regardless of race. The humanity in us generally tend to root for the underdog. When I went to see the movie, the packed cinema of mostly white viewers would clap at different points in the movie as they cheered the underdogs on. I added all that to say that people got what the writer was trying to say. The only disappointed you will experience is that the book has ended. It is that good. Enjoy. I have listened to it three times.