Laurie

Great story, moves fast but not too fast. The narration by Joshua Swanson is much better than his narration of the previous book. (Still not as good in my opinion as the narrator of the first series, so I gave it four stars.)

Between the writing and the improved reading you really get a feeling of the character differences between Percy's point of view and persona and that of Jason in The Lost Hero. Can't wait for the next book!

There is something about Gary Sinise's voice that is perfect for Steinbeck. I thoroughly enjoyed this audio version of one of my favorite books.

I really appreciate this book. I did not appreciate the format, however. It is rather scholarly and has many quotations from scripture and citations from other works. This makes it a better read for the eye, not the ear. Content great, format not so much. The narrator does the best he can.

What an absolute joy this listen is! Ms. Collins tells her own life story, all the joys and pain. The other greats of the music world pass in and through -- the "folkies", Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin. Her romance with Stephen Stills. Her collaboration with songwriters such as Leonard Cohen and Mimi and Richard Farina. She speaks with raw honesty about her alcoholism and the joy of her recovery. She often breaks in to beautiful a cappella renderings of some of her songs. Bonus -- Listen all the way through, past the credits. She sings several songs, tributes in part to her family - her son in "Born to the Breed", then "My Father" and one I'd not ever heard, about her mother. So moving. Wonderful, simply wonderful.

I've adored this book since it was first published. I am so happy to have it on audio now. The narration is pretty flat, and I'm not entirely sure about some of the pronunciations (Pretty sure I.I. Rabi is "Rah-bee" not "Rab-eye") but glad to have it nonetheless. Eagerly awaiting Gleick's newest!

I listen to a LOT of audiobooks -- daily. I often listen as I go about tasks -- gardening, driving, needlework, etc. This production of Swann's Way stopped me in my tracks. It is so rich, so engaging that it requires my full attention and engages my feelings and thoughts wholly. If you thought Proust perhaps less than accessible, dip in to this. Mr. Vance's narration will lead you to that place of memory, longing and insight that may have been Proust's best intention for his work. Savor it. Roll it around on the tongue of your mind. Enjoy.

After having read all the Falco novels, I must say that Nemesis is the best yet. It takes a slightly darker turn, and although sated, wanting more. Loose ends are tied, and one in particular. This pleased me enormously.
As to the narration -- just as Simon Vance IS Ruso in Ruth Downie's novels, Christian Rodska IS Falco to me. I enjoyed the radio plays led by Andrew Lesser, but the single voice unabridged books read by Mr. Rodska are much more fulfilling!

I really enjoy Ms. Garrison's blog. She has a great sense of the absurd and writes it very well. This audio version is too strident for my taste in its presentation. I suppose that I must put it in my category of "Authors who should not narrate their own material."
Do listen for the content after sampling -- as long as you are not put off by the sound and cadence of the narrator, you may really enjoy this title.

Ralph Cosham reprises his pitch-perfect narration of the Chief Inspector Gamache novels in Lousie Penny's new novel, Bury Your Dead. After listening to six ventures into the delicious world of Three Pines, Mr. Cosham IS Gamache to me. His vocal characterizations are never heavy-handed yet still distinct and engaging. Distinguishing the different characters is seamless and smooth for the listener.

It is well paced. Warning -- this is serious "driveway" listening -- if you are playing it in the car you will likely stay in your seat until the end of the chapter!


This is an exquisitely layered novel; deeper, more introspective and lyrical even than Ms. Penny's previous Gamache mysteries. We still spend some time in Three Pines, but a village more defined by its personalities than strict environment. Inspector Gamache takes us to Quebec City and shows us his thousand yard stare -- a stare that turns inside.


I particularly appreciated the history of Quebec Ms. Penny shows us -- Seven Years' War history is a favorite of mine and it is well covered from the perspective of the modern history buff.