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sam

shreveport, louisiana, United States | Member Since 2008

4
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 15 reviews
  • 19 ratings
  • 193 titles in library
  • 10 purchased in 2013
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  • The Hobbit (Dramatised)

    • ORIGINAL (3 hrs and 42 mins)
    • By J. R. R. Tolkien
    Overall
    (346)
    Performance
    (163)
    Story
    (167)

    The radio dramatisation of The Hobbit became a classic when it was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1968 and it continues to delight today. Tolkien's famous saga, the prelude to the Lord of the Rings, has all the ingredients of fantasy and adventure: dwarves, elves, goblins and trolls, a fearsome dragon, a great wizard, a perilous quest, and a dramatic climax.

    Mary says: "Takes a little getting used to"
    "A timeless classic with voice"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I came into this adaptaion of the Hobbit knowing little of the world of middle-earth and I was hooked in an instant! What made this books come to life was the way the actors perfectly protrayed their characters in a spot on performance of the tale of a Hobbit named Bilbo who learns to rise above his lowly charcater and win back treasure for dwarves and a wizard named Gandolf on one of the greatest adventures of his life. I was never much into Lord of the Rings (a little to rpic for my taste) but this book was perfect for being more lighthearted but still fun and adventurous, I strongly recomend you download this book.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Across the Universe

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 11 mins)
    • By Beth Revis
    • Narrated By Lauren Ambrose
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (203)
    Performance
    (145)
    Story
    (145)

    Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end 50 years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

    Kelli says: "Well worth the listen!"
    "An out of this world adventure!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    In a world saturated with vampires and fantasy, this novel dared to buck the tends of young adult novels and take readers on a sci-fi adventure that's out of this world (literally and metaphorically, of course). As I sci-fi fan I of course was hooked by this novel's primes from the start, and Ms. Revis certainly does an excellent job world building (even if that world is a spaceship the size of Iwo Jima), and I had no problem visualizing every aspect of life on the ship Godspeed. I though Amy was well written, and reacted realistically the situation she was thrown into, and, thankful, didn't just swoon over the love interest all the time unlike certain other books (I'm looking at you Shadow and Bone; and Twilight!). I could relate to Elder's desire to be different in a world that stresses conformity, and the two narrators did an excellent job of bringing the characters and their world to life. All in all, recommended for sci-fi fans, and even for people who aren't (who knows, this might get you into sci-fi if you give it a shot).

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • A Clockwork Orange

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 45 mins)
    • By Anthony Burgess
    • Narrated By Tom Hollander
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (653)
    Performance
    (274)
    Story
    (276)

    A vicious 15-year-old droog is the central character of this 1963 classic, a frightening fable about good and evil, and the meaning of human freedom. In Anthony Burgess' nightmare vision of the future, where the criminals take over after dark, the story is told by the central character, Alex, who talks in a brutal invented slang that brilliantly renders his and his friends' social pathology.

    Steve says: "Great book, great narration, but not for everyone"
    "A Real Horrorshow Story Me Droogs!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This had been on my list of dystopias for a while, and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. It has great social commentary about free will and the nature of what it means to be human, as well as questioning how far society is willing to go in the name of personal security. I must say, what I loved best was the way Burgess crafted the Nadsat slang, and Tom Hollander's performance really made it shine in a way that simply reading the book just couldn't do, and the bits of classical music interspersed added to the effect. What's it going to be then, eh? A horrorshow performance if ever there was one me droogs!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

    • UNABRIDGED (2 hrs and 57 mins)
    • By Robert Louis Stevenson
    • Narrated By Martin Jarvis
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (110)
    Performance
    (82)
    Story
    (79)

    This is the disturbing tale of the dual personality of Dr. Jekyll, a physician. A generous and philanthropic man, he is preoccupied with the problems of good and evil and with the possibility of separating them into distinct personalities. He develops a drug that transforms him into the demonic Mr. Hyde, in whose person he exhausts all the latent evil in his nature.

    Tad Davis says: "The best one yet"
    "A Tall Order Delivered Well!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    We all know the basic story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, so delivering an audiobook takes a certain talent to bring this classic to life. Martin Jarvis has that talent and a lot more! As a companion on my nightly patrols of my campus grounds (and, it was required reading for one of my classes, and something I'd always been meaning to read for pleasure) Mr. Jarvis performance made the characters come to life, and I often found myself looking over my shoulder, just to make sure Edward Hyde wasn't really following behind me. In closing, if you???re looking for a version of the classic, this is it!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Carnacki the Ghost Finder: Gateway of the Monster

    • UNABRIDGED (53 mins)
    • By William Hope Hodgson
    • Narrated By David Ian Davies
    Overall
    (11)
    Performance
    (7)
    Story
    (6)

    One Voice Recordings presents its premiere recording of William Hope Hogdson's ghost story, "Carnacki The Ghost Finder: Gateway of the Monster"Carnacki's profession and delight is the eerie art and science of tracking down and dealing with the supernatural, and then relating his latest experience to an attentive group of friends...gathered together for just this purpose.

    Robert says: "Good Carnacki Story!"
    "Short, but a treat"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I'd been looking for the Carnacki stories for a while on audible, and seeing as this is the only one currently available I feel perhaps I had to work with what I got, but not too bad if you ask me. The story is wonderful, Carnacki is rather like a supernatural Sherlock Holmes, and though the performance was a little lacking in quality that, along with the narration, gave it an air of an old radio horror anthology program. It's not terribly expensive at all, so even if you don't like it you won't waste much money, but I rather enjoyed it. A good start, but I would like to see more of the Carnacki stories available on audible in the future.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Othello: Shakespeare Appreciated: (Unabridged, Dramatised, Commentary Options)

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 10 mins)
    • By William Shakespeare, Jonathan Lomas, Phil Viner
    • Narrated By Joan Walker, Jude Akuwudike, Nick Murchie
    Overall
    (53)
    Performance
    (27)
    Story
    (27)

    Experience Othello as a powerful full-cast drama with entertaining and enlightening commentary that explains what's what and who's who as the plot unfolds. To help you get the most out of Shakespeare, the narrator offers historical insights and background information, so you can enjoy the jokes, appreciate the references, and get a real sense of Shakespeare's world.

    A User says: "Excellent Listen"
    "The Bard For the Rest of Us!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    We all know Shakespeare is arguably the greatest writer in the English language, but not many of us can appreciate his work due to its out-date/nearly-another-language English, but SmartPass comes to our aid with this and other fine translations of the Bard's works. You not only lively running commentary that explains what just happened, the jokes, and the nuances; you also get a wonderful production in the original language by and all-star full-cast, historical background and context, all the jokes explained, and much more. If you're looking to truly appreciate and enjoy Shakespeare, this series is for you!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Hominids: The Neanderthal Parallax, Book 1

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 25 mins)
    • By Robert J. Sawyer
    • Narrated By Jonathan Davis, Robert J. Sawyer
    Overall
    (870)
    Performance
    (257)
    Story
    (263)

    Neanderthals have developed a radically different civilization on a parallel Earth. A Neanderthal physicist, Ponter Boddit, accidentally passes from his universe into a Canadian underground research facility. Fortunately, a team of human scientists, including expert paleo-anthropologist Mary Vaughan, promptly identifies and warmly receives Ponter. Solving the language problem and much else is a mini-computer, called a Companion, implanted in the brain of every Neanderthal. But it can't help his fellow scientist back in his world, Adikor Huld, when the authorities charge Adikor with his murder.

    Scott says: "Scicen Fiction Can Be Literature"
    "Canada's answer to Clark and Asimov"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This was the first book I ever listened to on Audible, and I still recall the magic of the experience, how I was longing to discover more even before it was over, and looking back on it all, I couldn't have picked a more perfect book to start than this. Mr. Sawyer does a wonderful job of combining cutting edge science, likeable and believable characters, and even crafts and alternate world that's totally alien, yet still relatable and easy to comprehend. I also loved the vivid descriptions of Canada (both from our world, and the alternate world of the Neanderthals), that almost made it feel like I was there with the characters, though I suppose Sawyer had an advantage as a native (and proud) Canadian. I loved how Sawyer introduces the book, and gives it the quality of being like an old friend when you've read all the books (like I have), and Jonathan Davis did a superb job narrating. For me, this was the start of a wonderful experience that still continues to this day, I only hope this book will do the same for my fellow listeners.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Gulliver's Travels

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 32 mins)
    • By Jonathan Swift
    • Narrated By David Thorn
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (65)
    Performance
    (16)
    Story
    (17)

    Set and written in 1726, This is a marvelously imaginative tale of the four voyages of Lemuel Gulliver. He finds himself shipwrecked and the prisoner of captors ranging in size from 6 inches tall to 60 feet tall and of various other persuasions. But this is just the beginning of a story written, strangely enough to satirize the foolishness and vices of modern men as they were perceived at the time. No one, young or old, can ever forget the Lilliputians and the Yahoos that starred in these wonderful and riveting stories of long ago.

    David Eggerschwiler says: "Terrific Narration, Very interesting story"
    "A Timeless Tale, Still As Relevent Today"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I had to do a school project about Gulliver's Travels, so naturally audible was my go-to destination. At a low price and high quality, this version was a life-saver! The narrator did a wonderful job bringing Swift's witty social commentary to life, and is (in my opinion anyway) one of the best readers of this book. If you thought you knew Gulliver, get ready for delightful new discoveries, from the flying island of Laputa, to the island of the Houyhnhnms. With remarks just as pointed today as they were when this book was first written over 300 years ago. If you're ready to travel with Gulliver, this is the version you want!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Hunger Games

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 14 mins)
    • By Suzanne Collins
    • Narrated By Carolyn McCormick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (28079)
    Performance
    (19744)
    Story
    (20038)

    Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

    Teddy says: "The Book Deserves The Hype"
    "Non-Stop Trillride From Start To Finish"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I decided to take a chance on this book after hearing a lot of my friends say good things about it, and I'm glad I did! The world of this book is starkly divided between the futuristic Capitol (think a high-tech/sci-fi version of Rome) and the dystopian reality of the 12 districts of Panem. I found Katniss (the protagonist) to be both strong in the face of adversity, but also with internal doubts and struggles that made her easy to relate too; the first-person narration made it feel like I was being personally guided through the events of the book, side-by-side with Katniss, but it felt at the cost of fleshing out some of the other characters (though I suppose Katniss was really the important one, so it's easily forgiven). From the Reaping Day to the final triumph in the Games it was a non-stop trill ride all the way, and it was almost as if I was there beside the characters (something I haven't felt in a while, so Brava to the author and narrator for a spectacular story and performance). I've already finished the series, and can't say enough to praise it! For the next sensation to rival even the great Harry Potter franchise, look to further than the series before you!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials, Book 1

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 41 mins)
    • By Philip Pullman
    • Narrated By Philip Pullman, full cast
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (4388)
    Performance
    (947)
    Story
    (958)

    When Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon decide to spy on a presentation her uncle, the commanding Lord Asriel, is making to the elders of Jordan College they have no idea that they will become witnesses to an attempted murder, and even less that they are taking the first steps in a journey that will lead them into danger and adventure unlike anything Lyra's unfettered imagination has conjured up.

    Erin says: "Best Audio Book I've ever Heard"
    "A Wonderfully Imaginative Book"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I was drawn to the series over the controversy surrounding it, but frankly I don't see what all the fuss is about. Granted, this might come up in future books, but if you don't like those kinds of themes, then don't read, and let the rest of us enjoy these wonderful books. Now that I've taken care of that I can talk about this book; from talking polar bear knights to flying cowboys, it's clear this author has a lot of imagination and originality. It might seem odd to somehow Lyra handles some of these situations so maturely, but still retains a certain youthful wonder, but as someone who is both gifted and learning disabled, I felt a certain ability to relate (rather like Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game striking a cord with gifted kids). I especially enjoyed how the Mr. Pullman envisions the exotic landscapes and the people's that inhabit them, and his renaming of familiar places and things with unfamiliar terms (though perhaps a glossary would be useful, but thankfully Wikipedia helps with that somewhat). All in all a wonderful and truly imaginative work, I can't wait to read more, and I would encourage those who scoff off these books to dare to give them a try, you might just enjoy them!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 11 mins)
    • By Kevin Hearne
    • Narrated By Luke Daniels
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (6525)
    Performance
    (5711)
    Story
    (5693)

    Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old - when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer. Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries....

    Chris says: "Finally, a modern day fantasy that really hits the"
    "Like Percy Jackson for adults"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I found this book among the new releases and decided to give it a try. After finishing this I think a more appropriate title would be hooked, because I sure was! Our protagonist Atticus is like a witty Druidic Highlander, and his cast of supporting characters (ranging from his dog Oberon to his vampire Viking lawyer...and no, I'm not making this up) are just as excellently written and performed. I liked the mix of the modern and the mythological, and how multiple mythologies were mixed in (the author does a great job explaining some of the lesser known ones). Over all a great plot that could stand on its own, but leaves room for future adventures, and with prices like this, how can you not getting into the next Iron Druid Chronicle? Very much reminds me of Percy Jackson and the Olympians meets American Gods and Highlander for adults, and that makes me love it even more!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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