Carol

I'm enjoying this book a great deal. A captivating plot and provides a good picture of what Viet Nam was like for those who fought it.

I found this book to be what other reviewers said - a satisfying and moving description of a life long friendship between two couples. But I also saw more: these couples had experiences and tragedies that changed and molded them in unique ways. How they reacted was really the heart of the story.

While this is a book of fiction, it told a very real story of an event in WWII and its profound impact on those who lived in Guernica. The characters were well drawn and I felt the tragedy they suffered. I'm glad I listened to it.

Listened to Fever Dream first, and this one next. Maybe my expectations were too high, but did not enjoy Brimstone nearly as much. The plot was interesting, but not compelling and I did not like the ending.

Overall, I liked this book. The main plot was entertaining and kept me guessing. I liked how it turned out. The subplot, which had the most impact, left me feeling sad and dissatisfied.

This is the way I like to learn history. I actually researched some of the incidents in this book to see if I was getting a pretty good picture of what actually happened. The characters were well developed and I really liked all of them. While the plot was pretty good, it became a little unbelievable toward the end. Very dramatic throughout with a well rounded presentation of many differing characters and their motivations. This is the first narration by Scott Brick that I liked. He did not use the sarcastic, condescending voice that I have heard from him before.

A pretty good story, but the execution of both the narration and the writing made this just so, so. Sue Grafton definitely matured in her writing skills as she continued with this series. The narrator was just not appropriate for this type of novel - a very "down home" sound and way too cute. However, the plot was good and kept me guessing, making the book worth listening to.

This is the way I like to learn history: as collateral to an engrossing story. I am counting on the author's research in this. The lives of slaves in the 18th century South were depicted realistically, showing how the arbitrary and sometimes brutal decisions by their masters affected individuals and families. However, even kind, well-meaning masters provided an existence for their slaves that severely limited self-expression and growth. All this was wound around the life of an Irish orphan girl's experiences as an indentured servant and her eventual development into a free woman. Most of the characters were well developed, interesting, and very human. A few peripheral characters who were, however, essential to the story, were a little fuzzy. The readers were outstanding and made the story come to life. I enjoyed this book a lot AND feel that I learned a lot. What a deal!

It has been a while since I last read a Clancy novel. I stopped because I found his style (but not his plots) very boring. Things haven't changed. The plot was really well done, but getting there was a challenge. He spent the first part of the book switching back and forth between scenes - and since I couldn't sit down and read in one sitting, I had to do a lot of back tracking on my IPod so I could relisten - not an easy thing to do. But I hung in and did it. Then when I finished, I found that some of his early scenes really had little to do with the plot. I realize that is classic Clancy - and I could have liked the book ok if he had not also used it as a vehicle to belabor his pet peeves with a number of things in the military, our society, and people in general. I guess I'm glad I read it, even though I didn't enjoy it very much.

Not only was the premise hard to believe, but the plot twists were very unlikely. Definitely don't like Scott Brick as the reader. In spite of this, I thought it was worth listening.

I loved this book and I loved Owen. He had exceptional strength and wit; he was thoroughly grounded and sure of himself; and he was lovable. The story was well told.