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Tony

Burlington, ONTARIO, Canada | Member Since 2010

53
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 42 reviews
  • 155 ratings
  • 0 titles in library
  • 77 purchased in 2013
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9

  • The City of Devi: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 17 mins)
    • By Manil Suri
    • Narrated By Vikas Adam, Priya Ayyar
    Overall
    (28)
    Performance
    (27)
    Story
    (26)

    As Mumbai empties under the threat of imminent nuclear annihilation, statistician Sarita can only think of being reunited with her physicist husband. To find him, she must journey across the surreal landscape of a near-abandoned city, braving gangs of competing Hindu and Muslim hoodlums. Joining her is Jaz - a Muslim whose true religion has always been sex. Danger lurks around every corner, but so does the absurd: the patron goddess Devi Mahas even materialized on a beach to save her city....

    Book Worm says: "Not What I Expected"
    "TRIADS"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    India vs Pakistan, Hindu vs Moslem, 3 characters looking for love when life itself is such a challenge. Manil Suri takes on a road trip that gives us war, love, religion, lots of criminals of every stripe and evolving true love that expresses itself as the physical nature of love takes second place in the lives of three consenting adults. I felt that Priyas' narration is not top quality. Vikas Adam is excellent.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • And the Mountains Echoed

    • UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 6 mins)
    • By Khaled Hosseini
    • Narrated By Khaled Hosseini, Navid Negahban, Shohreh Aghdashloo
    Overall
    (6)
    Performance
    (6)
    Story
    (6)

    Khaled Hosseini, the number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations. In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most.

    Tony says: "THE SUM OF THE PARTS"
    "THE SUM OF THE PARTS"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    A beautiful story told with interconnected vignettes.Each of us has a tale which when looked at closely can be influenced or is influenced by our relationships with others.There are tragedies and love stories, passions and selfishness, decisions and outcomes. Is what we see the reality or an illusion. Khaled Hosseini is without question a leading light in literature today and the narration makes it a deeply moving novel. Do not miss.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Under Heaven

    • UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 32 mins)
    • By Guy Gavriel Kay
    • Narrated By Simon Vance
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (367)
    Performance
    (153)
    Story
    (151)

    In his latest innovative novel, the award-winning author evokes the dazzling Tang Dynasty of 8th-century China in a story of honor and power. Inspired by the glory and power of Tang dynasty China, Guy Gavriel Kay has created a masterpiece.It begins simply. Shen Tai, son of an illustrious general serving the Emperor of Kitai, has spent two years honoring the memory of his late father by burying the bones of the dead from both armies at the site of one of his father's last great battles.

    Mike says: "Impressive!"
    "BEAUTIFULLY DESCRIPTIVE"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I came to this story because I wished to hear another narration by Simon Vance and I was not disappointed either by Simon Vance or the beautifully descriptive prose on offer from Mr Kay. The sights, smells and sounds of the Tang Dynasty of China envelope you as the story of political intrigue, love, respect, power and family is told in this wonderful novel. We in the West tend to minimize the ancients of the East and this story serves to transport us to China and the civilization that had values that would serve us well by reappearing in our society; family, respect and tradition to name a few. Time well spent.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Persona Non Grata: A Novel of the Roman Empire

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 19 mins)
    • By Ruth Downie
    • Narrated By Simon Vance
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (250)
    Performance
    (108)
    Story
    (110)

    At long last, Gaius Petreius Ruso and his companion, Tilla, are headed home - to Gaul. Having received a note consisting only of the words "COME HOME!" Ruso has (reluctantly, of course) pulled up stakes and brought Tilla to meet his family. But the reception there is not what Ruso has hoped for: no one will admit to sending for him, and his brother Lucius is hoping he'll leave.

    Laurie says: "Well worth the wait!"
    "CSI- ROMAN EMPIRE !"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    With no organized police force someone has to step and find the citizens who commit the dastardly deed. Alight, fun read with a look into Roman day to day life. Ruth Downie does enough with her characters to keep you listening. Simon Vance is one of my three favourite male narrators ( Humphrey Bower and Scott Brick are the others ) and he doesn't disappoint with excellent representations of the varied male characters from different backgrounds and the many wonderful female 'persona'... Worth the credit for light entertainment but too bad that the first two books of the series are not available on Audible.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Foundling: Monster Blood Tattoo, Book One

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 40 mins)
    • By D.M. Cornish
    • Narrated By Humphrey Bower
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (88)
    Performance
    (40)
    Story
    (40)

    Set in the realm of the Half-Continent, a land of tri-corner hats and flintlock pistols, the Monster Blood Tattoo trilogy presents a world of predatory monsters, chemical potions, and surgically altered people. Foundling begins the journey of Rossamund, a boy with a girl's name, who is about to begin a dangerous life in the service of the Emperor. What starts as a simple journey is threatened by encounters with monsters - and people, who may be worse.

    Heather says: "Foundling - an adventure tale"
    "THE SET UP"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    It is very obvious from the outset that this novel was written to serve as the set up for the series. As such, It was for me o.k. but as a standalone novel it left me unfulfilled but it had enough good characters and unusual characters that I will listen to the next installment. Humphrey Bower is outstanding as always. I know that it is his job but his ability to do so many characters is truly astounding, you are left with the impression that the narration is done by a cast.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Tandia

    • UNABRIDGED (26 hrs and 39 mins)
    • By Bryce Courtenay
    • Narrated By Humphrey Bower
    Overall
    (838)
    Performance
    (338)
    Story
    (335)

    Tandia is a child of all Africa: half Indian, half African, beautiful and intelligent, she is only sixteen when she is first brutalized by the police. Her fear of the white man leads her to join the black resistance movement. With her in the fight for justice is the one white man Tandia can trust, the welterweight champion of the world, Peekay. Now he must fight their common enemy in order to save both their lives.

    Thomas Andrews says: "Thanks for this wonderful collaboration"
    "A LOOK INSIDE APARTHEID"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Where 'The Power of One' looked at the maturation of one boy in the oppressed state of South Africa, "Tandia' brings the ugliness of Apartheid to the reader like a punch in the gut! Bryce Courtenay tells a beautiful story and develops his characters slowly and in great detail. He makes you smile, elicits tremendous empathy, laugh and makes you cringe at the details of life in a separated S. Africa. A wonderful follow up presented so spot on by the inimitable Humphrey Bower.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Power of One

    • UNABRIDGED (21 hrs and 34 mins)
    • By Bryce Courtenay
    • Narrated By Humphrey Bower
    Overall
    (2059)
    Performance
    (933)
    Story
    (933)

    Born in a South Africa divided by racism and hatred, this one small boy will come to lead all the tribes of Africa. Through enduring friendships with Hymie and Gideon, Peekay gains the strength he needs to win out. And in a final conflict with his childhood enemy, the Judge, Peekay will fight to the death for justice.

    Bob says: "Compelling story lifted higher by the narration"
    "THE POWER OF ONE SQUARED"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    To me there is no better combination than the late Bryce Courtenay and Humphrey Bower. Bryce Courtenay tells stories that combine life lessons with fabulous characters, beautiful prose with the expression of his love of the countries that have served to be the setting of his own life. Every time I read one of his novels I wanted more. Many times he gave us more but still he could have kept them coming. Humphrey Bower is simply the best. His command of the various accents dovetail beautifully with his understanding of the emotions presented by Mr Courtenay. I am thankful that I still have about a half dozen novels by this awesome combination to listen to in the coming months.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Leviathan Wakes

    • UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 9 mins)
    • By James S.A. Corey
    • Narrated By Jefferson Mays
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (849)
    Performance
    (738)
    Story
    (735)

    James S.A. Corey delivers compelling SF that ranks with the best in the field. In Leviathan Wakes, ice miner Jim Holden is making a haul from the rings of Saturn when he and his crew encounter an abandoned ship, the Scopuli. Uncovering a terrifying secret, Jim bears the weight of impending catastrophe. At the same time, a detective has been hired by well-heeled parents to find a missing girl, and the investigator’s search leads him right to the Scopuli.

    Ethan M. says: "Fun hard SF action with a blue collar bent"
    "STAR TREK REVISITED"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    5 central characters travel our solar system to prevent a cataclysmic event that could threaten the very existence of human beings! The similarity is unavoidable but the fun also attached to the Star Trek franchise is very much in evidence. The science or pseudoscience is challenging which makes the genre such thoughtfully addicting. Jefferson Mays does a very good job and I look forward to the follow up novel which is now next on my list.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Outlander

    • UNABRIDGED (33 hrs and 8 mins)
    • By Diana Gabaldon
    • Narrated By Davina Porter
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (11237)
    Performance
    (5837)
    Story
    (5652)

    Why we think it’s a great listen: An all-time Audible favorite that mixes historic fiction, adventure, and romance with one of the most fascinating literary devices: time travel. Outlander introduces an exhilarating world of heroism and breathtaking thrills as one woman is torn between past and present, passion and love. In 1945, former combat nurse Claire Randall returns from World War II and joins her husband for a second honeymoon. But their blissful reunion is shattered....

    Lulu says: "The Reason for the Existence of Audio Books"
    "Thank goodness it's over !!!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I should have paid more attention to the reviews. I guess this is a historical romance but it left me hoping for something else. I found the story to be tedious and yet I completed it as I kept thinking that the action may improve and provide a counterbalance to the lengthy descriptions of the love evolving between the two main characters. Anyway, on to something better but I will never get those many hours back. I take it that I am not a hopeless romantic just hopeless!

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • The Ghosts of Belfast

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 2 mins)
    • By Stuart Neville
    • Narrated By Gerard Doyle
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (911)
    Performance
    (315)
    Story
    (317)

    Fegan has been a "hard man" - an IRA killer in Northern Ireland. Now that peace has come, he is being haunted day and night by 12 ghosts: a mother and infant, a schoolboy, a butcher, an RUC constable, and seven other of his innocent victims. In order to appease them, he's going to have to kill the men who gave him orders. As he's working his way down the list, he encounters a woman who may offer him redemption; she has borne a child to an RUC officer and is an outsider too.

    David P. McGivern says: "What an unexpected good read!"
    "'THE TROUBLES !'"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is a really terrific novel A taut, brutal view at the conflict in Northern Ireland' looking at the 'war' from every perspective be it the British Government, The IRA ( soldiers and political leadership), ordinary people etc etc. Gerard Doyle does a great job capturing the intensity and undercurrent of tremendous tension weaving around Fegan and his conscience. A reminder once again of what human beings are capable of doing to other human beings. What a fabulous read!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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