Laura

I tried twice to listen because I do love Dickens, but the narrator was horrible. I gave up!

First, let me say that the narrator did a great job, despite the fact that he didn't put much change of accent/inflection into each character's voice. The expressiveness of his reading kept the story moving with energy and passion.

The story itself is very character driven. It is a dissection of one man's life; a gradual unfolding of all his secrets, strengths and flaws. It shows the individuals and events that shaped his motivation, and how, near the end of his life, a cataclysmic event soured him on conforming to "polite society", to the point that he begins an affair that shocks everyone who knows him.

The author also dissects and reveals certain main characters, such as one of the colleagues, the new girlfriend, and her ex-husband. I do, however, feel that the book became a bit tedious in the exploration of the emotions of the ex-husband, who was a Vietnam war vet. The journey into his mindset of mental illness and violence became quite disturbing and overly-long. At one point, I skipped over part of a chapter, because I just couldn't take it any more.

If you enjoy character-driven, mature, intellectual novels with a gritty, masculine tone, I guess this would be a good book for you. I don't regret the time I invested in this book, because I enjoy delving into other people's lives and expanding my understanding of the impluses and motivations that can drive others in directions that we may not understand. I felt like giving up a few times, because the book does demand a mental effort, but my sense of pride as an educated reader forced me to continue for all the times I bemoaned the deluge of literary "fluff" offered as "the next great thing"!

It is not among "the great" novels I have read (see my review on "The Winds of War" or "War and Remembrance"), but the novel has made a lasting impression, and details of Colemen Silk's life will continue to resonate in my memory for a long time to come...

I loved how this novel switched from person to person, from past to present, until all the threads gradually wove together into a beautiful, colourful tapestry of people and events.

The novel gave us glimpses of many different eras: Italy during and after the war, Hollywood in its new decadence, 1960's glamour starring Richard Burton and Liz Taylor, not to mention the life of a musician on tour in Edinburgh...

If you enjoy a mysterious journey, and a format of seemingly unrelated short stories, blending into a majestic ending... read this book!

I found Maudie Tipstaff a very annoying character, but as the book went on, I began to see things a bit more through her eyes. It was a 3part book, and throughout each interaction of characters, the world of Maudie Tipstaff expanded.

It was a satisfying book because it was so character-driven, filled with unusual situations and people.

I agree with the reader who said they chose a 50 year old smoker to narrate a 30 year old character. Yes, age shows in a voice!

I am returning this book because the narration just GRATES on my ears. Also, the story didn't 't grab me right from the start.

Just started "Gorky Park" , and, yes, it grabbed me from the first sentence!

This book is a masterpiece! It is a learning experience, wrapped up in a good story... Exciting, interesting, heart-rending... I just couldn't wait for my next "session". I listened to it while commuting, doing my yoga, painting, cleaning, picking berries... It was 55 hours of GREAT entertainment! Some people might find the battle details a bit boring, but I enjoyed them because I learned so much about WW II, and the forgotten heroes.

The narrator was incredible! He did accents from Roosevelt's, Churchill's, Hitler's, Stalin's, and Polish, Russian, German, British, Southern,.... I was so impressed, I just wanted to shake his hand and congratulate him personally! Haha!

The Winds of War, and this sequel, War and Remembrance stand out among the great books of the 20th century... The don't make 'em like that anymore... If you have the attention span for a great work, this is it!

I listened to The Winds of War, and the sequel, War and Remembrance. I loved both. Such an in-depth portrait of WW II, through the eyes of various characters.

Kevin Pariseau did an AMAZING job of all the characters and accents! He really brought the book to life in a FEAT of narration, acting and even at times - singing! I especially liked his Russian and German accents! Amazing!

This audible book occupied my mind through many hours of home reno! I also feel as though I have gained a substantial amount of historical knowledge about the unfolding of WW II.

Thank you Herman Wouk, Kevin Pariseau, and Audible!!!

At first I found the odyssey stressful, but when I relaxed and let myself stop worrying, I enjoyed these tough, resourceful little rabbits. When the story was over, I grieved to leave my friends! I will never see rabbits the same again!

The narration was incredible! Bravo!

I loved the story and the narration! Being over 50 myself, I enjoyed this mature romance!