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The Fan

Los Angeles, CA USA | Member Since 2003

HELPFUL VOTES

12 reviews
14 ratings
1795 titles in library
49 purchased in 2013

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Chronicles: Volume One

ABRIDGED
- by Bob Dylan
- Narrated by Sean Penn
Chronicles: Volume One

ABRIDGED (5 hrs and 6 mins)

By Bob Dylan

Narrated By Sean Penn

Overall
(352)
Performance
(67)
Story
(70)

Bob Dylan's Chronicles: Volume One explores the critical junctions in his life and career. Through Dylan's eyes and open mind, we see Greenwich Village, circa 1961, when he first arrives in Manhattan. Dylan's New York is a magical city of possibilities: smoky, nightlong parties; literary awakenings; transient loves and unbreakable friendships. Elegiac observations are punctuated by jabs of memories, penetrating and tough.
Debra says: "Fascinating Book, Lousy Abridgement"
"A total disappointment----a waste of time"

Overall
Performance
Story

I had looked forward to this book. It doesn't make it. It is disjointed, with little chronological flow. Although the book starts when Dylan was a nobody, it then skips to when he was over the hill. The most interesting part---the years in the 1960's and early 1970's, when Dylan achieved superstar status---is ignored. While Dylan skips the most important part of his career, he dwells on many irrelevant or nearly irrelevant subjects. The book is filled with filler, including painful descriptions of the weather and over-use of adjectives and metaphors relating to meaningless subjects. He spends seemingly endless time talkabout his making of an album that didn't work, but no time talking about his major hits. The only plus: Sean Penn sounds like Dylan. Other than that bright moment, Dylan would do us all a favor if Volume 1 were the last volume. This is sad because I love Dylan's early music.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Whiskey Rebels

UNABRIDGED
- by David Liss
- Narrated by Christopher Lane
The Whiskey Rebels

UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 29 mins)

By David Liss

Narrated By Christopher Lane

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(360)
Performance
(97)
Story
(96)

At his most desperate moment, Ethan Saunders is recruited to find his ex-fiancée's missing husband. Meanwhile, Joan Maycott and her Revolutionary War veteran husband distill whiskey on the western Pennsylvania frontier. As their causes intertwine, Joan and Saunders - both patriots in their own way - find themselves on opposing sides of a daring scheme that will forever change their lives and their new country.
Tamara says: "Engaging"
"One of my favorite books"

Overall
Performance
Story

I loved this book. It is complex and intriguing and read by a fabulous reader. David Liss always interweaves historical characters and these were fascinating. I recommend this book without reservation.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The White Tiger: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Aravind Adiga
- Narrated by John Lee
The White Tiger: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 5 mins)

By Aravind Adiga

Narrated By John Lee

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1520)
Performance
(420)
Story
(416)

Balram Halwai is a complicated man. Servant. Philosopher. Entrepreneur. Murderer. Balram tells us the terrible and transfixing story of how he came to be a success in life - having nothing but his own wits to help him along. Through Balram's eyes, we see India as we've never seen it before: the cockroaches and the call centers, the prostitutes and the worshippers, the water buffalo and, trapped in so many kinds of cages that escape is (almost) impossible, the white tiger.
With a charisma as undeniable as it is unexpected, Balram teaches us that religion doesn't create morality and money doesn't solve every problem.
Mark P. Furlong says: "Entertaining, thought-provoking, darkly funny"
"A wonderful book read by a first-rate reader"

Overall
Performance
Story

I loved the book and the reading. First-rate all the way. While it's by no means a chair-gripper, it is nonetheless compelling in terms of its psychological portrait. I recommend the book without reservation.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Consent to Kill

UNABRIDGED
- by Vince Flynn
- Narrated by George Guidall
Consent to Kill

UNABRIDGED (17 hrs and 16 mins)

By Vince Flynn

Narrated By George Guidall

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(3023)
Performance
(1092)
Story
(1090)

For years, Mitch Rapp's bold actions have saved the lives of countless Americans. His battles for peace and freedom have made him a hero to many, and an enemy to countless more. In the tangled, duplicitous world of espionage, there are those, even among America's allies, who want to see Mitch Rapp eliminated. They have decided the time has come.
Timothy says: "One of the Best Stories I've Ever Heard"
"One of the best!"

Overall
Performance
Story

I've "read" lots and lots of audiobooks. This is one of the best, wonderfully and realistically written and read.

It's on the top of my list. If you want to read a novel with a plot that is intelligent, that does not stretch reality beyond the breaking point, that provides page-turning tension, read this book.

One of my all-time favorites.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Nature Girl

UNABRIDGED
- by Carl Hiaasen
- Narrated by Lee Adams
Nature Girl

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 28 mins)

By Carl Hiaasen

Narrated By Lee Adams

Overall
(565)
Performance
(83)
Story
(85)

Honey Santana, impassioned, willful, possibly bipolar, self-proclaimed "queen of lost causes", has a scheme to help rid the world of irresponsibility, indifference, and dinnertime sales calls. She's taking rude, gullible Relentless, Inc., telemarketer Boyd Shreave and his less-than-enthusiastic mistress, Eugenie, into the wilderness of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands for a gentle lesson in civility. What she doesn't know is that she's being followed by her Honey-obsessed former employer.
Pamela says: "Well worth the wait!"
"A Huge Disappointment"

Overall
Performance
Story

I'm a giant fan of Carl Hiasson, have enjoyed all his prior books, and looked forward to this one.

I'm sad to say: This book was quite a disappointment. The humour and satire seemed forced; the characters were, in my view, boring. Seems to me like Hiasson is in a rut, and that this one was just churned out.

I couldn't wait to finish the book and had to force myself to do so.

I hope this is just a slight rut in Carl Hiaason's otherwise brilliant career. In all, I cannot recommend this book to anyone.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Dark Horse

UNABRIDGED
- by Tami Hoag
- Narrated by Beth McDonald
Dark Horse

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 56 mins)

By Tami Hoag

Narrated By Beth McDonald

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(357)
Performance
(63)
Story
(64)

Tami Hoag, author of Dust to Dust, returns with "a definite winner," says Booklist. In a trailer in a Florida swamp, time is running out for Erin Seabright. A pawn in a kidnapper's terrifying game for a ransom no one can pay, her last hope is a washed-up ex-cop who has already lost it all - not once, but twice.
Robert says: "Wow!"
"Silly book"

Overall
Performance
Story

This book was silly and trite. Typical tale of numerous suspects and "brilliant" detective putting all the improbable leads together. Like thousands of other tales of this sort. The reader was very good in parts and very poor in other parts. In all, wish I hadn't wasted my time.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A Fine Balance

UNABRIDGED
- by Rohinton Mistry
- Narrated by John Lee
A Fine Balance

UNABRIDGED (24 hrs and 29 mins)

By Rohinton Mistry

Narrated By John Lee

Overall
(438)
Performance
(152)
Story
(152)

In the India of the mid-1970s, Indira Gandhi's government has just come to power. It institutionalizes corruption and arbitrary force, most oppressive to the poorest and weakest people under its sway. Against this backdrop, in an unnamed city by the sea, four people struggle to survive. Dina, Maneck, and two tailors, the Untouchables Om and Ishvar, who are sewing in Dina's service, undergo a series of reversals.
Susan says: "A Must Read"
"Perfect"

Overall
Performance
Story

This is a wonderful book, beautifully written and read. An unforgettable experience.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Ivy Chronicles

UNABRIDGED
- by Karen Quinn
- Narrated by Julia Gibson
The Ivy Chronicles

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 12 mins)

By Karen Quinn

Narrated By Julia Gibson

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(534)
Performance
(165)
Story
(165)

Fans of New York Times best seller The Nanny Diaries will rejoice in this wickedly hilarious novel, which acclaimed author Katharine Weber says is "much funnier and darker". Optioned for a major motion picture starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, The Ivy Chronicles skewers the twisted priorities of America's well-heeled elite.
Vicki says: "Probably Better as an Audiobook then in Print"
"Couldn't get through it."

Overall
Performance
Story

Don't know whether the book is good or bad. Do know that the reader is awful. Miscast. The reading is the equivalent of casting a 9-year child to read the part of a powerhouse executive. Forget it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

UNABRIDGED
- by James D. Hornfischer
- Narrated by Barrett Whitener
The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 25 mins)

By James D. Hornfischer

Narrated By Barrett Whitener

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(272)
Performance
(98)
Story
(96)

Told from the point of view of the men who waged this steel-shattering battle, The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors captures Navy pilots attacking enemy battleships with makeshift weapons and sacrificial valor, a veteran commander improvising tactics never taught in Annapolis, and young crews from across America rising to an impossible challenge.
John says: "Outstanding"
"A tough read, but an amazing, well read story"

Overall
Performance
Story

The author dug deep and put together an amazing true story, one that any person interested in World War II history should read. I agree that, sometimes, there was too much detail; but, one gets an amazing impression of battle, heroism and, most importantly, the stupidity of war.

I wish the author had written with stricter chronology in mind. On multiple occasions, the same ship sunk several times. It would have been better if each ship that sunk were described as sinking only once, with all related details chronologically related at all once.

In all, however, this is an unforgettable book. It was worth the sometimes-struggle to get through it.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Pompeii: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Robert Harris
- Narrated by John Lee
Pompeii: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 1 min)

By Robert Harris

Narrated By John Lee

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1098)
Performance
(192)
Story
(190)

All along the Mediterranean coast, the Roman Empire's richest citizens are relaxing in their luxurious villas, enjoying the last days of summer. But the carefree lifestyle and gorgeous weather belie an impending cataclysm, and only one man is worried. The young engineer Marcus Attilius Primus has just taken charge of the Aqua Augusta, the enormous aqueduct that brings fresh water to a quarter of a million people in nine towns around the Bay of Naples. His predecessor has disappeared.
Martin J. Lindal says: "Brought my visit to Pompeii back to life"
"Painful, pretentious, overly-long. A nothing."

Overall
Performance
Story

This book is agonizingly long. The story goes nowhere. There are pretentious, boring references to volcanic facts that seem thrown in for the sole purpose of making the book appear intellectually founded. The only plus: Excellently read by John Lee.

This was a waste of time for the author, for the reader and for John Lee.

Studying your navel would be better than reading this nonsense.

1 of 7 people found this review helpful