Barbara

This story is dark, sarcastic, funny, sad, and, at times, racy, with a seductive (and surprising) beginning, climax, and end. Maguire's characters were engaging and as a listener, I felt like I connected with not only Elphaba, but all of the colorful cast. The narrator made the storytelling fun and hard to put away (he's a close second to Josephine Bailey). I'm already into my second listen. Be warned... this is nothing like the musical, but you won't be disappointed.

I got this audiobook because it won a best listen award and I figured, what did I have to lose? I was not disappointed. I am now a self-proclaimed Ghengis Kahn-aphile. It was a fantastic gym/work/commute listen. I have recommended it to pretty much anyone who will listen to me ramble on about how much of what we have accomplished and take for granted in our modern world actually originated centuries ago from the vision, actions, and genius of one (what we would call uneducated) man. I have even downloaded this audiobook to my dad's iPod, for which as far as I'm concerned, is the reason we have iPods. It's not every day you come across something that changes and enlightens your perspective of the world you live in and I thank Mr. Weatherford for compiling this compelling biography of this mysterious man. I think I may press play and listen to it again right now.

This book was a joy to listen to. Caroline Lee is a wonderful narrator and draws you into the story until you feel like you are truly a part of it. I felt my palms sweat with the intrigue and suspense, my heart break with love that is denied, and tears prickle my eyes with the unexpected light in the darkest of times. This type of book really isn't what I usually go for, but I was not disappointed with it on any level.

Isabel Allende never ceases to amaze me with her writing. This story itself is sensual, tragic, heart-warming, and absorbing. Unfortunately, the narrator is so horrible it sucks the sex and excitement right out of it. This book would be a good read, just not a good listen.

I was really looking forward to getting my ears on this book after I devoured Wicked. What a letdown this one was. The story was boring, the characters were unremarkable, and Gregory Maguire as narrator was almost unbearable. Don't miss Wicked, but pass on this one.

One word: amazing! I hated this book in high school, but at a friend's recommendation, I decided to give it another shot. I'm on my third listen and I can't get enough of it. The narrator is wonderful and brings each character to life with different voices that depict the wisdom of Elizabeth, the kindness of Jane, and even the flightiness of Lydia. I think that classics may be wasted on the young... I've decided to revisit all the books that I hated in high school.

This book reads like fiction, the narrator was wonderful, and I found myself completely immersed in the ever changing life of this amazing woman. When Josephine died and the book ended, I almost felt like I lost a friend. However, be warned: this book is very biased. Josephine wasn't a saint and she wasn't always the victim. I will be following this book with a biography of Napoleon to get another view of their marriage. Good book, good narrator... I highly recommend it to anyone.

I loved listening to this book. The author is wonderful and the narrator is charming (I prefer the audiobook to reading the hard copy). Funny, full of adventure, and a little erotic at times; this book kept me begging for more. Ditch your music on you ipod and load this series instead, it's a perfect gym time listen. I'm waiting for the fourth one with baited breath, because I know I won't be disappointed.