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Susie

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The Red House: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Mark Haddon
- Narrated by Maxwell Caulfield
The Red House: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 43 mins)

By Mark Haddon

Narrated By Maxwell Caulfield

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(57)
Performance
(47)
Story
(45)

The set-up of Mark Haddon's brilliant new novel is simple: Richard, a wealthy doctor, invites his estranged sister Angela and her family to join his for a week at a vacation home in the English countryside. Richard has just re-married and inherited a willful stepdaughter in the process; Angela has a feckless husband and three children who sometimes seem alien to her. The stage is set for seven days of resentment and guilt, a staple of family gatherings the world over.
Sheryl says: "Great Listen but not for everyone."
"A Disappointment from Mark Haddon"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you try another book from Mark Haddon and/or Maxwell Caulfield?

Yes, sure.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Legend, by Marie Lu

Would you listen to another book narrated by Maxwell Caulfield?

Yes

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Red House?

I really disliked the whole story - not one character was likable, and the story didn't hold my interest.

Any additional comments?

This novel was a major let-down. I really enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog at Night-time, and this novel had none of the same originality, spark, and vitality.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Natural

UNABRIDGED
- by Bernard Malamud
- Narrated by Christopher Hurt
The Natural

UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 43 mins)

By Bernard Malamud

Narrated By Christopher Hurt

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(47)
Performance
(13)
Story
(13)

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Bernard Malamud's first novel is still one of the best ever written about baseball. His story of a superbly gifted "natural" at play in the fields of the old daylight baseball era is invested with the hardscrabble poetry, at once grand and altogether believable, that runs through all of his best work.
Susie says: "A Baseball Classic"
"A Baseball Classic"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up The Natural in three words, what would they be?

Easy-paced, heart-dropping, All-American

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Natural?

The early scene with Miss Bird that kicked off the conflict in the novel, while heavily foreshadowed, provided quite a memorable moment.

Which scene was your favorite?

The final scene with Wonderboy, Roy's beloved bat, was a great one.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book kept jogging along, and I enjoyed the many peaks and valleys.

Any additional comments?

I'd put this book after A Prayer for Owen Meany and The Art of Fielding, but certainly in the pantheon of great baseball books.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Fourth Stall

UNABRIDGED
- by Chris Rylander
- Narrated by Mike Rylander
The Fourth Stall

UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 55 mins)

By Chris Rylander

Narrated By Mike Rylander

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(21)
Performance
(19)
Story
(19)

Do you need something? Mac can get it for you. It's what he does—he and his best friend and business manager, Vince. Their methods might sometimes run afoul of the law, or at least the school code of conduct, but if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can pay him, Mac is on your side. His office is located in the East Wing boys' bathroom, fourth stall from the high window. And business is booming.
Tanya says: "Funny, Suspenseful and Full of Heart!"
"A Mafia Story for Middle Schoolers"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up The Fourth Stall in three words, what would they be?

double-crossings, misunderstandings, and loyalties

What other book might you compare The Fourth Stall to and why?

This book is similar to The Chocolate War, but for far younger readers, but far less sinister, with still difficult pranking and lessons to be learned.

What aspect of Mike Rylander’s performance would you have changed?

He miscued on some sentences pauses and word pronunciation.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I got a kick out of Vince's grandmother's oft-quoted advice.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

UNABRIDGED
- by Michael Lewis
- Narrated by Scott Brick
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 27 mins)

By Michael Lewis

Narrated By Scott Brick

Overall
(772)
Performance
(664)
Story
(668)

Moneyball reveals a quest for something as elusive as the Holy Grail, something that money apparently can't buy: the secret of success in baseball. The logical places to look would be the giant offices of major league teams and the dugouts. But the real jackpot is a cache of numbers collected over the years by a strange brotherhood of amateur baseball enthusiasts: software engineers, statisticians, Wall Street analysts, lawyers, and physics professors.
Sarah Dumoulin says: "No need to be a baseball fan"
"Baseball by the Numbers"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up Moneyball in three words, what would they be?

Logical, surprising, pro-underdogs

Who was your favorite character and why?

Billy Bean fascinated me by his ingenuity, scraping together a great athletics club on so small a budget.

Which scene was your favorite?

The very last scene with the satisfying laughs from the players, with a player, not laughing at his expense.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. I did find myself saying, Well I'll be... The approach to recruiting the team members impressed me.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Casino Royale

UNABRIDGED
- by Ian Fleming
- Narrated by Simon Vance
Casino Royale

UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 39 mins)

By Ian Fleming

Narrated By Simon Vance

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(874)
Performance
(363)
Story
(368)

Introducing James Bond: charming, sophisticated, handsome, chillingly ruthless, and licensed to kill. This, the first of Ian Fleming's tales of secret agent 007, finds Bond on a mission to neutralize a lethal, high-rolling Russian operative called "Le Chiffre" by ruining him at the Baccarat table, forcing his Soviet spymasters to "retire" him. It seems that lady luck has sided with 007 when Le Chiffre hits a losing streak. But some people just refuse to play by the rules.
Ken says: "A Masterwork"
"Bond Always Offers Up Some Fun"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to Casino Royale again? Why?

Yes - this was a quick, fun read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Casino Royale?

I enjoyed the many casino scenes.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

Mr. Vance has terrific European accents. He was even better in the Steig Larsson "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" trilogy, but wonderful here, nonetheless.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Shaken, Not Stirred, and Finished in a Quick, Easy Sip

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Art of Fielding: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Chad Harbach
- Narrated by Holter Graham
The Art of Fielding: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs)

By Chad Harbach

Narrated By Holter Graham

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(908)
Performance
(760)
Story
(760)

At Westish College, a small school on the shore of Lake Michigan, baseball star Henry Skrimshander seems destined for big league stardom. But when a routine throw goes disastrously off course, the fates of five people are upended.
S. says: "Not Quite ~"
"Not What You'd Expect, But Good"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to The Art of Fielding again? Why?

Yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mike Schwartz - he was the most likeable and very well drawn for a sidekick.

What about Holter Graham’s performance did you like?

Very good pacing.

Who was the most memorable character of The Art of Fielding and why?

President Affenlight's character held the most surprises.

Any additional comments?

While not the baseball book I expected, I did really like the book.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Magyk: Septimus Heap, Book One

UNABRIDGED
- by Angie Sage
- Narrated by Allan Corduner
Magyk: Septimus Heap, Book One

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 4 mins)

By Angie Sage

Narrated By Allan Corduner

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1334)
Performance
(477)
Story
(480)

The first book in this enthralling new series by Angie Sage leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters and magykal charms, potions, and spells. Magyk is an original story of lost and rediscovered identities, rich with humor and heart.
Lindsey says: "Very enjoyable"
"Good for Youth"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you consider the audio edition of Magyk to be better than the print version?

Not necessarily

What other book might you compare Magyk to and why?

Artemis Fowl series

Which character – as performed by Allan Corduner – was your favorite?

Septimus Heap

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

The book is no Harry Potter, but good for the 3rd - 5th grade crowd

0 of 0 people found this review helpful