Vira

I listened to Paul Theroux’s “Dark Star Safari” with great interest. After being an immigrant child, I’ve spent a lifetime in Africa and have either lived in, or experienced, most of the places he discusses. From Cape to Cairo. I appreciated his astute observations, as also the veracity and honesty of his writings. I often smiled, thinking “that’s exactly what Africa is like!” I also admired the authentic way in which he travelled – so different from most spoilt tourists – and the difficulties which faced him on an almost daily basis. It’s a harsh continent, and as the locals often say: “Africa is not for sissies”.

I also agree with his take on the audacity and bare-faced cheek of missionaries, so adamant that their way is the only right way. However, it must be remembered that much good humanitarian work has also been done by them.

Years ago, I was a reporter on the Johannesburg newspaper which he mentions, "The Star", and later spent many years working for an NGO locally. I feel that his criticisms of Aid organisations are a little harsh, but not completely unfounded.

I grew up in the same small mining town where Nadine Gordimer was born, and I believe we attended the same school, although I didn’t have the honour of knowing her personally. I feel I know her a little better after the author’s warm descriptions of her and her husband.
Personal descriptions are just that, though, and I feel this needs to be remembered by the reader. The novel is non-fiction, and because there are so many factual references, one is easily drawn into the author’s personal feelings as though they were also accurate statements of fact. I agreed with most of his emotive reactions to people and situations, could see his points which were well made, but there were also some I would’ve liked to take issue with him over.

It was a pity, I thought, that his obvious dislike of Afrikaners surfaced as a blanket kind of prejudice. Granted, as a nation they tend to suck at their own PR, have been much maligned and are consequently sometimes over-defensive, but they are a people who also have many admirable qualities. It also needs to be remembered that had it not been for Afrikaners, South African cities could well be another Kampala or Lilingwe today, instead of the haven that the rest of Africa is streaming into. Legally or not. I found it jarring, that the savage, brutal and barbaric murders of Boer farmers over the past years, a fact which almost amounts to genocide, and which is fleetingly mentioned in the book, is simply overshadowed by the author’s personal bias or dislike towards the man who was trying to tell him this. It’s mentioned in an off-handed kind of way, of little consequence by comparison to his own irritation with the man. Conversely, the stealing of land in Zimbabwe gets very good coverage, and rightly so.

Otherwise, I found his observations of countries and people to be refreshingly open-minded and non-judgmental, imbued with intelligence, a good understanding of the Continent and its people, and a healthy dash of common sense. Sometimes a little long-winded perhaps - I also love Egypt, her gods and her delightful inhabitants, but after a while I thought: “enough already!”, but was soon enjoying the following chapters.
A good read, well-researched and accurate.

The narration by Norman Dietz is very good; he must be commended for attempting all those accents! It must have been a daunting task. Well done.

Is this the same Dekker who wrote "Adam"? He's obviously matured somewhat if a comparison of the two books is anything to go by, since this was written almost ten years earlier. I bought it because I enjoyed "Adam" and wanted to try more by the same author. The book has some good reviews. Has it been applauded by Christians out of a sense of duty? I feel as if I've skirted the fringes of lunacy for 16 hours.

I find almost nothing likeable about the main characters. The hero, Kent, is a highly intelligent man who becomes mentally unhinged and starts acting like a moron. The other main character, his mother-in-law, is depicted as a warm and caring old lady. Actually, I find her pushy, self-righteous, hammerhead preachy, and almost abusive in the way she lords it over others. She has visions of heaven, where they seemingly spend their time in continuous histrionic laughter. Well anyway, that’s all she tells us about it. Sounds scary. But we should strive for it.

The rest is preachy ad nauseum, with the single expletive of “Goodness!” repetitively thrown in at every turn. I waver between irritation and annoyance. Its one of the worst books I’ve listened to. I feel robbed! I think the only "goodness" out of this would be to gather all copies and send them for recycling.

The sole redeeming factor is the excellent narration.

A riveting thriller about a serial killer, as good as any the genre has to offer. It incorporates aspects of psychology, child abuse, religion, and most of all love - as the only force which can overcome evil.

I believe that every murder has at its core an element of evil, and often its not only the perpetrator who is to blame. Sometimes its the victim, sometimes society - but there's always a complex interplay of forces and influences. This book highlights the complexity of factors involved, and, together with seamless narration, deserves 5 stars, in my opinion.

What fun to get this rabbits-eye view of the world! I simply loved these creatures - their innocence, loyalty, friendship, and absolute heroism. (Who'd think of rabbits as being heroic, but it seems all creatures, great and small .....).

Pure, clean, innocent, and touching. A wonderful listen.

This is not some macabre book about corpses, dead bodies and things that scratch your door in the dead of night. Not at all. Instead, its a book written in journalistic style, always respectfully, which brings to light knowledge which is not easily available. Its a topic we'd rather not approach, until we suddenly need to. And this stuff is not only interesting, but some of it is also useful and good to know. Also easy to understand and very accessible.

The body is regarded as a vehicle which we all at some stage will leave behind, and which then needs to be disposed of. The question is, whether we do so with a more emotive mindset, or alternatively, a more helpful one.

Its about how much the dead have already helped the living, and a sense of gratitude pervades the writing. Its given me a much broader outlook towards organ donation, which I always thought was only for students in anatomy labs. But its more. Much more.

There's a fair amount of historical background, and info about what other cultures have done in other ages. Some gruelling stuff there.

Finally, Ms Roach presents some of the latest "disposal" technologies, such as composting (mostly in Sweden) and liquefication (I forget the exact terminology). This is news to me.

Overall, a sensitive and extremely well-written, interesting expose of what happens behind closed doors. Lots to think about.

Some Art History 101. Not particularly interesting. At all. The author could have made much more of this, by incorporating Renaissance symbolism relating to the circle and the square, the new religious outlook and ascendancy of Man in that era, and the effect it still has on modern times.

Instead, he drones on about the various historical personages and art sponsors. The same old same old. I remain unimpressed.

I learnt much about the Black Death from this work, and often felt quite sickened but informed. An entertaining read, with the time-travel theme similar to that of "To Say Nothing of the Dog", which I also enjoyed.

One easily relates to each character, in typical Connie Willis style.

My heart bled for the cow!!!!!

Excellent narration. I loved the British accent, and I love lengthy, quality books from Audible.

This book recalls the Old Testament dictum of "An eye for an eye". Or the concept of Karma, where what you give out is what you get back.

Its different. In the end we almost feel sympathy for the murderer, and antipathy towards the victims.

I enjoyed this different-ness. The reason I didn't give it four stars is simply because this is not my favourite genre.

An interesting book about evil and how it uses each human weakness as a tool against the human. (I've known con men and manipulators who do exactly the same) .

Here, each individual's Want, not Need, for a specific item - either for collection, sentimentality, or any other reason, becomes a weapon used by evil, against the self and others. It renders the individual character almost helpless, and leads them to do what they know is wrong.

The book also demonstrates how deftly an instigator can turn otherwise friendly people against each other. In real life terms, (I think for example of a vicious in-law creating havoc within the family).

Each character's story unfolds, and there's always an override to the small inner voice prompting him/her to do the right thing.

There's an ironic wordplay on the title "Needful Things". A Want becomes a Need and the difference between the two is blurred.

A good listen, but I find Stephen King's voice a little harsh on the ears, but not too bad.

This book starts out with a promising sense of humour, poking fun at Hollywood elite parties. I'm enjoying this. But the fun suddenly and abruptly ends, devolving into crudity, irritating stupidity, and a frustrating listen.

Hour after hour, for three quarters of the book, the writer grinds on and on about Greyson's incessant and insatiable need to hump every woman in sight, and about each random woman's body parts. Like some erotic collage of breasts and pubics he's slapping together in a frenzied haphazard derangement.

In Thailand, its all about sex for sale. Its much the same for the other places he visits. In Africa, he meets a Kenyan woman in a slum, whose husband has died of AIDS. He immediately beds her too, without any protection, then marries her in a totally off-handed way before he leaves, ensuring he sends her enough money to live on. Paid her off. That's the other theme of this book. He's a rich Hollywood hero who throws money at everyone, precluding the need for any caring. I spend the rest of the book wondering whether he's contracted AIDS or some other form of STD. I'm still wondering. Syphilis is said to attack the brain and cause similar symptoms.

I was expecting a classier book. Something deeper and more meaningful. Greater insight into bipolar disorder. This author must've heard that sex sells. I wont touch any other books by her. What a load of rubbish!

I've given 2 stars for the beginning and the ending, as well as the attempt at portraying at least something about bipolar disorder.

The content of this book does not live up to its title. It does not show how 'Randomness Rules our Lives'! I expected something completely different. As I'm not particularly into maths and stats, I felt bombarded by it, whereas that which would have been of interest to me was missing. I barely managed to finish listening, and eventually raced through at full speed simply to get it over with.