Marilylle

I am delighted with the narration in my recently purchased "Bleak House" ( David Case). I am amazed how clearly he is able to define the many characters and how perfect is his gentle edge of irony when Dickens makes those telling side comments along the way. Wonderful. A great novel, well presented . Works well along with the BBC video series, which we are re-watching at the same time.

This is a long novel, skilfully written, as all of Dickens tales are. It is his theme that puts a little fog and storm throughout: human selfishness. As always, he introduces us to many carefully drawn characters -- and, in this case, many kinds of self-centered behavior. There are a few very good characters, of course-- and those are not the sort of folks the "great ones" even notice. Also there is a gradual but very satisfying growth in the title character throughout his tale.
Another feature of this Dickens novel is the part of it set in America and his critique of the attitudes of many Americans of the time. The author did not make himself popular with them by this open criticism, but, to be fair, the selfish rascals in Britain were painted just as vividly.

This is a story told me long ago by my mother who explained the line that delighted her: `Why don`t you speak for yourself, John?". A wonderful listen -- and now I know even better why she loved the tale. Portrait of the proud military hero, Miles Standish, is very well crafted, as is that of his counterpart and young friend - the writer, John Alden. John is sent on a mission to bear a marriage proposal on behalf of Miles Standish -- to the lovely Priscilla, already secret queen of John's own heart. How does one carry out an order like that one? I loved the tale, and its beautiful writing, though it is hard to excuse some of the phrases in which the native Americans were described . A small flaw in a great story, I thought.

Not the most riveting of Austen`s books, but a beautiful portrait of Fanny -- set off against the shallowness and selfishness of most of those around her. Like most novels of that time, there is an ongoing critique of aristocratic pride -- contrasted with true greatness, intelligence and grace. I liked this book and it was very well performed by the reader. I will never forget Fanny!

I have just finished listening to a great reading of Pride and Prejudice, having chosen to listen right after re-watching the BBC drama version of the novel. I commend the script-writer in the drama for following so very closely the text of the novel, which, after all, happens to be mostly dialog.
I sense that we often "listen to Jane Austen" herself in this novel -- and wish I could have met and talked with her in person. This is next best.
Amazing and intricate listening in on thoughts, motives, prejudices, relationships. Like most famous Victorian novels, it critiques the attitudes of the "upper" class, but it also shows real character growth as the central actors in the unfolding story realize how they have seen things wrongly or incompletely.
This novel is almost a "comic strip" in places -- more so than any other of Austen's books -- yet perhaps learning to laugh at ourselves and our prejudices is healthy -- especially when we can laugh with a witty person like Jane.

North and South is great writing with deep and challenging themes. I love it! To think I had lived most of my rather long life without even reading Gaskill!

I particularly appreciated her handling of the complicated relations between management and labour in those earliest days of trade unions and the growing industrial revolution.

Both hero and heroine in the "romance" part of this book are complex, interesting, and strong characters. And the very last lines of the novel have me chuckling yet -- so well read, and so "perfect" .
The BBC drama I had already seen and appreciated; the full novel is even better.

Having watched Cranford on BBC series, I felt I knew Dr. Harrison a bit. Nice to see the author's original portrait. The tale is a rather rollicking and amusing one. Not as serious as my other Gaskill ones - but a fun read. Sometimes I enjoy a lighthearted tale.

I count The Help among my favourite audibles. The readers chosen to act the parts of the main characters do a great job. I soon felt I knew the characters well -- each one. The book is well written and beautifully paced -- leasurely enough to make me think-- and yet be carried on a strong current of suspense. Great to read a book that delves deeply into human relationships... without being extreme or one-sided.

I watched the movie just last night -- good film, but cannot compete with the book itself, nor the acting in this version by Audible.