Sydney

The narrator almost ruined it for me. I did get used to her, but I didn't like the "Scary" voice interludes at all. I really missed Kate Reading. I did like the book -- and what Franklin is doing with this historical time period, which is coming together in my mind like never before. I can't believe how much time has been lost for women and medicine because of the suppression of the dark ages. Glad those times are gone! I also appreciate the author's historical notes.

This book is so much more than an epic historical love story, but I would never have picked up on it earlier in life. It is a Russian philosophical feast. The women in Zhivago's life clearly portray his feelings about Russia and the social changes that it went through. I'm amazed at how Pasternak was able to do this. The audio version was excellent because it provided a short intro that helped me with the magical /folktale part of the book, and then it had an afterword and a short history on Pasternak's life. Just be prepared for its typical Russian length and repetitiveness on theme / thought. Oh, and the love story is magnificent, too.

It is definitely a top. Just Excellent.

I like that it deals with the difficulties of life, which is such a messy affair even without going down this road. I couldn't live with myself if I read / listened to books of this nature all of the time, but this one is definitely worth your time. For a deeper look, see my blog

Absolutely. Get your epic historical, WWI big picture, and Downton Abbey Fix RIGHT HERE.

John Lee -- you nailed the American, the Russion, the Welsh, the German, the English. Kudos to you.

I am surprised, this book brought tears to my eyes a number of times.

Loved it, way too much to tell -- read my thoughts here:

I am scratching my head over this one. I think it is more a misconception over what I thought I was getting, and the new paperback cover depicts that story better. This is really not a war / military book, it is a Dallas Cowboy Thanksgiving Day book which centers on the experience from the point of view of some US soldiers who are stateside for a short publicity tour. It is not a bad book, just not a good choice for me.

This book (and the pitch perfect audio) embodies the magic of The Iliad, with its larger than life, complicated characters. Here is a short quote that could sum up The Song of Achilles:“There is no law that gods must be fair, Achilles,” Chiron said. “And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone. Do you think?”Miller is absolutely believable in her mythology writing. The only downside is that I don't think the sex scenes match up to the rest of the writing, and they jerk you out of the story rather than become a part of it. But that is not a big criticism, I just hope she grows in that area next time; overall, it didn't take away from the overriding power of the book.

The voices, the vernacular, the setting, the themes, the politics, the turmoil, the battle scenes, everything just felt so accurate to me. I also really loved the sense of time warp in which we got a glimpse into the character's thoughts while battle was raging around them, and the tunnel vision in which the battles were written, making them seem authentic and jump right off the page. (Reminds me of War and Peace in that aspect). And this wasn't just action packed, but a story in which I got to care about so many of the characters. Also, the audio version is stellar, although there is much to keep straight. Highly recommend, don't let the year pass by without reading this!

Excellent writing by Ms. Flynn for suspense thriller fans looking for a very contemporary story. This is seriously the most twisted book I remember ever reading, or actually, listening to.I had fun with this book until the last 25% or so, and then I had to honestly admit that this book was just not for me, and I wish I had resisted listening to it. I wonder if I could have handled it better as a book reading it? But, if you are into twisted suspense thrillers you need to go out and read it right now. Also, as an attorney, the witness prep session made me laugh out loud and was worth the whole, crazy mess. And, if you have read the book, I am going to have to talk with you about it, so I guess the book did what it was supposed to!Having said that, I have to admit that the voices, the characters, and the plotting were so amazing that I may have to check this author out again. So long as the other books have at least ONE person that I can care about!

Both are excellent. I listened first, then went and read it in order to study it and learn from a master.

Cee, she learns to stand tall and believe in herself regardless of her childhood and the wrong done to her.

Hard to pick, but three come to mind. First, the opening poem, it brings chills down the spine. Next, when Cee tells Frank that she has a right to cry. And finally, the ending poem and all its potential meanings. I'll give you the first just so you don't miss it on the audio version:

“Whose house is this?
Whose night keeps out the light
In here? Say, who owns this house?
It’s not mine. I dreamed another, sweeter, brighter
With a view of lakes crossed in painted boats;
Of fields wide as arms open for me.
This house is strange. Its shadows lie.
Say, tell me, why does its lock fit my key?”

I don't know about you, but this resonates deep within me. It's the story of growing up, of finding yourself. Of finding out that home, for good or bad, has made a lasting impression on you, and, just maybe, you can reconcile yourself with that. Perhaps, on a grander scale, it is also a reconciliation to the awareness and owning of our country, good and bad.
Finally, perhaps you can reconcile yourself with you, good and bad

I love the book for the imagery of the time that it invokes, and for the depth of each character that the author gives us. I love the use of many literary styles, and the fact that the book is still very accessible. I love the ending.

Here is the low down:

Frank is a Korean vet who was treated equally in the war but slips back into segregated America as it if it is still the norm, which is a good subtle shock for the modern reader, so far away from it. But Frank has bigger worries, mainly that he is haunted by the war. This book is the story of his quest to find his sister, and during his travels he finds himself. This is a very American theme, in the fashion of Mark Twain and Charles Frazier (Cold Mountain). Frank breaks through and speaks to the reader, and occasionally to the author; this is a highly effective, somewhat twisted, way to jar the reader out of the story itself and into deeper thought. Toni Morrison is skilled enough to pull it off.

Cee (Ycidra) is Frank's sister, who thinks that maybe she'd have learned to think for herself if Frank hadn't been there to constantly protect her. She is an accident waiting to happen, a consummate victim, although she doesn't try to be, so trouble finds her when Frank leaves for the war. She and Frank bind each other to this earth, and eventually save each other, once they learn their own self worth. Something in that reminds me of Celie in the Color Purple, and Cee's story is very much an American girl coming of age story, with the honest portrayal of the plight of the black woman.

There are other memorable characters, some snapshots, some deeper, and plenty of themes, all delivered in a punch at 160 pages on my Kindle. Morrison trueists don't like this book very much because it doesn't use the magical realism style that they all love. If that includes you, know that this is American realism fiction, and take the time to think deeper than the story. Ask yourself how the author is so talented to make us care in such a short time. Look at the wording and sentences, and see how she shows rather than tells. Search for all those little details that make the writing so good. Learn from a living legend, who makes you dissatisfied with the humdrum.

More "Show" less "Tell"

Maybe

Enjoyable, but "read" almost like a family memoir. The audio ending with the author talking about how this book has its roots in her family history was very interesting.

Not About Zombies

When this audio book started, I thought it was just another junk book but then it got real and I had a hard time putting it down. This book is not about Zombies, it is about the World, our differing strengths and weaknesses. This gripping.Audio version has great performances, and it was so nice to hear Alan Alda's voice again.