HunterJumper

In the Audible Editor's review and the Publisher's review, Katy Kontent is portrayed as a scheming, wise-cracking social climbing legal secretary in the 1930s. I must have read a different book. Yes she is looking for a better life and she is socializing in the upper echelons of New York society but that seems to be more by circumstance than design. Maybe the editors were judging her by the company she keeps but in doing so, they missed the boat.

Kontent is a legal secretary from a Russian immigrant background who has a far more insightful, thoughtful view of life than the empty socialites in her crowd. In that context she is a far more interesting character than portrayed.

This is one of the best books on tape I've purchased. It was beautifully written and narrated and I found it surprising that one reviewer dismissed it as "overwrought" - I disagree completely with that assessment. The imagery is beautiful and while some of the dialogue between her socialite friends is a bit superficial and silly, it was probably very accurate for that time in history and was a perfect frame for Kontent's own quiet and thoughtful demeanor.

Absolutely one of the best books I've "read" in years.

Listening to one of the Isabel Dalhousie books is a great way to step away from stress when life becomes too rushed. Yes the book contains a large number of passages where Isabel contemplates "right vs. wrong", but I believe that is part of what makes this series of books enjoyable. Most of the time life does not give us time to think about these issues ourselves and these passages are uplifting, not judgmental. The only person Isabel "judges" on these issues is herself. It is refreshing to hear discussions of right vs. wrong from an author that is presented in a light context without preaching.

This is probably one of my favorites so far, but I have listened to only a few.

Loved her accent and expression. Her voice makes me want to visit Scotland again.

The story is entertaining. I listened to it on a long day of driving and when I arrived home, there were only a few chapters left. I walked into the house, put on my earphones and threatened the children with death if they didn't let me finish it.

The character development was on the light side. I liked the protagonist but I didn't really form any kind of strong feelings one way or another. Findley and Figg were buffoons but entertaining. Kind of. There were a lot of good laughs.

It's a fun story and will keep you entertained on a long drive but it's not that deep. If you're looking for a thought provoking novel on tort reform you won't get it here. But the next time you see a television ad for lawyers on television or on the side of a bus, you will laugh and remember this book.

The narrator was pretty good but he didn't significantly change his voice for each character so if you like that kind of narration you won't find it here. But honestly, sometimes that's preferable to the screechy histrionics of some narrators.

Thayer Wentworth O'Neill (sp?) has less gumption than any character in literature. She does very little but cry. In one of her crying jags, as an adult, she's shrieking and screaming "I want my momma!" even though her mother is (of course) pure evil.

She is supremely irritating. The plot (if that's what it is) is silly.

Don't bother.