"I Loved It So Much I Listened Again"
These Happy Golden Years for decades was the final book in the Little House series. I wore out the library editions of the series and would have loved to have had this audio version . The narrator , Cherry Jones, is just perfect for the role of 15 year old Laura and her sisters and friends. She even does a credible male voice as Pa and Alonzo. Her expression is excellent and I could listen to her over and over. And so I did!
"Another well read book by Cherry Jones"
Cherry Jones is a narrator who is able to do a variety of voices including children and men of all ages!. This would make an excellent gift for any fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
"Book Hampered by the Narrator"
I enjoyed the print version of the book which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 3, although I found the first half of the book more interesting than the second. The problem I had with the Audio version was the narrator, who was often difficult to understand in her attempt to sound like an 85 year old woman.
"Author reads his own work."
David McCullough reads his own well researched and fascinating study of the complex, driven Wright brothers. I found myself unable to stop with just listening an hour or chapter at a time, as I found I knew far less about these men than I thought I did. Will probably listen to it again.
"An old favorite of mine"
Keeps you guessing!
I cannot think of a specific work other than books written by Diane Chamberlain about the same time period. She spent many years writing about the Outer Banks of North Carolina, including the books that completed the trilogy that started with "Keeper of the Light". I started reading her book on the recommendation of one who knew I liked the writings of Anne Rivers Siddons.
Unfortunately, Ms DeLisle's girlish voice when she was acting in her role of narrator was way too young sounding.When she did female voices, she brought that same girlish sound to everyone but Annie (that character was supposed to be from New England, an accent the narrator couldn't duplicate). But it was even worse when she did male voices -- all of the male characters sounded alike, with deep, gruff voices and unauthentic Southern accents. I know there are different schools of thought on the issue of whether to attempt duplicating accents or just doing a vague suggestion. My opinion is that if the narrator is very skilled at duplicating genders, age, and accents then by all means they should do so -- BUT if they are not skilled, a mere suggestion (a slight deepening or raising of the voice as appropriate, a hint of an accent, etc.) is sufficient.
Contemporary and thought-provoking!
I read this book when it was first published and it has remained a favorite of mine for years. Some call it soap opera, but I think it raises many issues that are still as fresh today as in the early 1990s -- love, loyalty, historic preservation, family...you name it, is it there..
"Oral History of the Assassination that Changed Us"
Fascinating oral history
Listening to all the people involved in major and minor roles in the event that was probably the seminal event of my teenage years was very interesting. Some of the people are still alive 50 years later as they were relatively young when JFK died. The testimony of the ER surgeon who inserted the catheter and then realized the president was not going to make it based upon the head wound was so heart wrenching...
Ms Sawyer did her usual polished and professional narration -- no disappointments here.
Listening to the reactions then and now of the men and women on the street was valuable. The comments from Oswald's landlady, where she sounded as though she admired him more than she was upset by the death of the president, was interesting -- a reminder that not everyone seemed devastated by the assassination.
Just an excellent oral history -- thank you, Audible, for giving this to us for free.
"Excellent Presentation of a Classic Story"
There are so many reasons to like this version of "A Christmas Carol," including the fact that it is unabridged, as so often this story is cut down for "modern readers" or children. Having grown up hearing the original read in my house since I was a child,and seeing almost all the filmed versions over the years, I think this could become my favorite.
The Dickens classic story is among my favorite Christmas stories. With this audio book I can listen to it any time of the year!
Mr Prebble's performance was just outstanding! He was able to do a convincing voice for the female characters, which can be very difficult for men to do, just as some female narrators have the same problem with male voices. I loved his characterizations of the wealthy bankers and investors at the very end and their remarks about the "dead" Scrooge.He was able to switch between his role as narrator and characters easily. I am going to search out other books he has narrated.
I wanted to, but I ended up listening in two sittings to savor it.
"A Must Read for Civil War Buffs!"
Yes! It is an engaging book for anyone interested in the Civil War as well as the aftermath. I originally read the book when it was first published, and love the works of Tony Horwitz. He has a dry sense of humor that translated well in the recorded version.
There are so many, but one of my favorites was the tour he did with his hard core reinactor friend, when they went on a ten day road trip through Virginia. I know 99% of the places mentioned in that chapter and it was interesting to listen to them from a vantage point of almost 20 years since the publication of the book. For instance, the public meeting in Richmond on the Arthur Ashe statue was particularly interesting.
Excellent performance! Delivery is everything sometimes and Addison hit the perfect tone, particularly in dealing with the Shelby Foote chapter, but also the very humorous passages as well. He was able to do subtle accents without going over the edge..
The chapter set in Kentucky -- the murder of the young man shot by former classmates for displaying the battle flag of Northern Virginia on his pickup. It is something that is still going on in 2014 in the south -- the conflict between those who see it as a racist issue and those who see it as a heritage issue.
"More A Young Adult Book Than I Thought"
The basic plot was of interest --- a foster child finally achieves her heart's desire by acquiring a loving older relative and a set of contemporary friends. However, the characters became cliches very quickly -- the annoying helicopter mother Jude, the passive husband, and the spoiled rich twins. It is very hard to believe that the male twin, Zack, is the most popular boy in high school, and there is not much motivation for him to want to give up an education at a major university for city college and an insecure girl friend.
It was fairly predictable..
Yes, with reservations. Ms McInerney did a very credible job with the adults, was okay as Zack and Lexie, but terrible with the character of Mia. Mia sounded as though she were about 5 years old throughout the entire narration...it was so annoying to hear her high-pitched whine...
Probably. Would not be waiting with bated breath, however...
I normally enjoy books by this author, but I felt this was below her usual standard.
There was far too much time spent on teenage characters who did not seem that real, but the alternative was an obsessed helicopter mom..so take your choice..
"One of the best"
I thought this study of the life of a woman in chapters where sometimes she was the featured character and sometimes she was a walk-in was a unique treatment that set this book apart from other novels.
Olive was my favorite, even though she was not a character that everyone would like -- similiar to Jane Austen's Emma. And although she was outspoken, she truly loved people, especially her son (and as the mother of a only child, also a son, I can relate).
No, this is my first. I thought her performance was a little uneven with the accents. Sometimes she totally slipped out of the accent, particularly with the men. Other than the accents, I liked her performance.
See above.
A very moving experience.