Robert

Though nothing can compare with Jane Eyre, this was a great story, well told and well narrated. I had never read this before hearing it performed, and I followed without difficulty.

Whether you've read it already, and either before or after the movie, this is an audiobook that's just plain enjoyable to listen to. Same is true of Rob Inglis's rendition of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Truthfully, I had a hard time years ago with the paper copies when it came to the songs, (They're just not my thing.) But Inglis makes them not only endurable but sort of fun. This a story worth reading or hearing or seeing again and again. I suppose that's why it can be considered a classic. Tolkien and Inglis make the story come alive visually so that you have a movie in your own head, and one perfectly compatible with the new movie. A must for any audiobook library, whether you just want a friendly story to accompany you through driving/walking/housework/quilting (much more fun than housework--I'm not "Robert," more like "Mrs. Robert"), or whether it's a new to you and you'll be sitting on the edge of your seat, you need to hear it.

I love historical fiction but somehow had never heard of this writer, and "horror" really isn't my thing. The description of this book intrigued me when I saw it on the sale list, and here I am writing a review before I've even finished it (something I do not normally do). The narrator and the story got my attention immediately and has held it without disappointment. A welcome escape to look forward to, this book will likely draw me into a number of busywork tasks until I finish it, looking for chances to listen to another chapter and another. In addition to the vivid descriptions of a time I'm glad I did not live in, the plot is rich with all that makes a thriller/mystery thrilling but without the shallowness of pulp fiction. (I do like short thrillers for quickies, but I find intricately entwined long plot threads much more enjoyable.) I have already added the rest of the series to my wish list.

Though my favorites by far are the core Jack Ryan books, as they give both a great story and character development, this ongoing series is a good way to keep the story going as and did not disappoint. The characters are a bit two dimensional, but as thrillers go, at least we're getting to keep up with what-happens-next in the lives of the original JRetc characters. Though this story did grab my attention early on, there was a point when I thought it was just going to be a remake of the previous JRJ-and-friends books. Stuck with it, though, and soon the story took some new turns and got interesting in its own right. One warning--don't jump in here--read the series in order, otherwise it will be quite difficult to handle the moral dilemma created and explored by the overall premise. Can't say more without giving you spoilers! The narration was very well done.

I should have paid more attention to the negative reviewer on this one. This will be the first Audible book I've started and not finished. (I even dragged myself through Doctor Zhivago, which was depressing and seemed to make a hero out of someone in whom I found almost no heroic qualities, though admittedly I may have chosen to finish it either because it cost two credits or just so I could say I did.) For this one, I can only ditto the reviewer who says the protagonist just keeps bouncing back and forth with his whinings. And, as part of those whinings, I must add a comment: Why does he seem to think it if God's responsibility to make things work out for him when he makes foolish and immoral choices and gets his feelings hurt? It is certainly not God's responsibility to simply give him whatever he wants. The main character, not only in his concept of God as a cosmic Santa but also in every other way--at least as far as I could stomach the story--seems absurdly shallow. I know most everybody else liked this one, but I kept thinking, where's the story? and what's the point?

One of the best of Dickens, I think. This one and N. Nic. can make to wail and cry, here more for sorrow and there, more for story. (I don't like L. Dorritt, so you can assume this one is not like that one--Dorritt was a doormat. I can believe these characters better than those.)

This is a good one if you like Dickens. (I do.) The performance is vey good, and the story is too.

I learned a lot of tidbits from history made interesting by the devilish details behind them. A good listen.

Fantastic book with a great narrator. I see why this book propelled CM to fame. No spoilers here--just get the book and go with it. Another great one is Independence of Miss Mary Bennet--I don't usually like spin-offs, but I don't think Austen would have minded this one. Really wish Audible could get CM's Roman history series (all of them) available on audiobook--they are long but interesting and would lend themselves to a good long listen. If you like CM and historical fiction, send in your "vote." Maybe if enough of us ask . . .

This entire series is fantastic. The narrator and the author have given us a treat. The history and the great characters and the details of daily life are all here. Hope there's more coming!

I love Cranford, but it's too short. Mary Barton is great. But this one is my Gaskell favorite to date. And this narrator is perfect for this book.