Patti

As often happens in my reading, I am curious of how the title was chosen. Although the Cider House and their rules were significant to this story, the orphanage was much more central to its theme. Regardless, this was wonderful to listen to.

I have not read anything of John Irving's before. And if it weren't for the movie getting such high praise, I probably would not have read this one. But I am glad I did. The characters are wonderful. I did not have trouble following who is who despite the large number of people introduced into the tale.

The subject sounds a bit more controversial, to be sure, than it is. But it is presented powerfully simple. I am pro-life, but I am also a nurse and need to offer all options. Just because I do not agree with abortion doesn't mean I rule over you. I can only hope there is a place like this one for those who need it.

The atrocities presented in this tale are numerous: class differences, prejudices, addictions, harsh realities of life all of them. But they are told in such a way that they are neither repulsive nor shocking.

And I did see the movie after listening to this. I am amazed it was rated so high, as it should be banned for desecrating such a wonderful tale. This selection is well worth your time and money.

I did not connect John Irving to Cider House Rules at first. But after listening for awhile, the same delightful humor style came rushing back and I was thrilled. How Irving unravels this story, interweaving current with past is tricky and clever. And just as in Cider House Rules, he plays out a rather political theme ever so carefully that you do not even realize it is happening.

The narration is also rather clever. At first it was annoying when "the voice" was used even for one-word illustrations. But it truly added to the story. I began to anticipate it.

There is a wonderful interview with John Irving at the end. That was great, getting some insight on his writing style.

There were so many fascinating twists and turns to the story. It also brought back some wonderful (I see I am using "wonderful" a lot but truly that is how I feel) memories of my own childhood. It all made me wonder why I have not read more of John Irving. I plan to do just that!!

This is not heavy literature by any means but still worth listening to. If you are familiar with Jane Austen's work, it adds even more depth. The premise is cute. I like the idea of a relative not leaving money or belongings to others when they die, but leaving them "experiences" the persons may not realize would be beneficial. Regardless, the story is interesting even though the ending gets a bit drawn out. Narration is well done.

I did this one backwards, as I really prefer to read books before seeing the movie. But regardless, this book is simply delightful. The characters catch you quickly despite the fact that I cannot relate to the differences in our experiences. The performance was just right. Sound effects are startling since they are so real. I was listening outside much of the book even though I do not usually have trains come along in my backyard. A treat for all ages.

It took forever for me to get into this story, if I ever truly did. Then there were three times I thought the story was ending, and it didn't. I wish it had. The twists and turns were not credible.

The story line was interesting: a combination of child molestation killings and cop suicides that turn into murder. But the side stories were not interesting. The drama with the journalists family was a surface issue that should have been developed further. The love angle was full of too many contradictions to do anything but make you suspicious of it. And then the ending was impossible. The first two potentials made much more sense.

The narrator's voice was grating at first, but I got used to it. I can't put my finger on what made it strange, but he will not be a favorite of mine. Voice differentiation between characters was adequate.

Truly I am not sure why this author has been so popular. I won't look for his books again.

This was a new author for me. The story overall wasn't bad. The reviews (by both publisher and readers) gave away the most intriguing part. I did not care much for most of the characters. There was nothing real likable about most of them. No sympathy was generated, nor anything I could strongly identify with them.

The husband/detective who was murdered cheated on his wife throughout their marriage. She knew it and attempted to get confirmation from others, not believing their answers. She finds out he had a son by another woman (before they had even married) and that holds a key to discovering the secret behind his death. Why via that route? It made no sense.

The killer was a slimy fellow that the author I think really tried to make you like. It didn't work. In the end he did what was right but so what? He had obviously not done that much in his life which was why he was a slimy fellow.

The big bad guy in the story was truly a creep. But most of his actions are truly unbelievable. He hires a killer but then steps in to help things out along the way. And no one ever suspects him as a criminal. His wife is the biggest dope of all, discovering and confronting him with his sins, even though she has not done anything caring towards him in years.

The narrator definitely has a monotone voice throughout his reading. But oddly enough, this was the best part of the book. It fit better than any of the characters fit together, better than how the story unraveled.

A very strange combination that one could take or leave. I won't be looking to read anything by this author again.

I have just begun to enjoy John Lescroart's books. I stumbled by accident on one in the middle of the Dismas Hardy series and have been trying to figure out the sequence. I don't know where this title fits but it does not really matter. The story is a strong one wth good, solid characters. None are perfect, all are flawed. And therein lies one reason why the story is not only good, but believeable. Except for the ending. I do not want to give it away, but there is a little too much "fairy tale" in how everything turns out so neat and justified at the end. I would not call it a bad ending but I cannot imagne it happening in real life. Regardless, the joy is in the journey and most readers would enjoy this journey. The narration is solid, great differentiation between gender and characters. I am looking forward to more from this author and narrator.

Somehow I missed the fact that this was part of a series, no less #10 of 17. Regardless, I was able to manage the story, even though having the history would have made it more rich.

In fact, now that I know there is a history, it makes sense for my "complaints" about the book. The story of Aiden and Erin was very well done and captivating. Each of their characters are high-acheiving but with faults and cracks. They round each other out very nicely.

But I did not understand why the secondary details were so strong: one couple debating about whether or not to have a third child (via surrogate no less), the romance of a developmentally disabled young man, and ultimately the complicated delivery of a breech baby. Now knowing these secondary characters were all central characters in previous installments, I get it. Doesn't make me like it anymore, but I get it.

This is a good book for summer reading or when you just need a simpler reminder of life with humor and connections.

This was a nice change of, uhm, pace for Baldacci. The suspense and intrigue was not new, but the addition of the teenage character. That threw a new light onto the tough and rough legal hitman perspective. I guess I have to get used to Cassidy as the female voices. I must have a preference for one voice doing all. She must be growing on me as she keeps surfacing in Baldacci's books.

Even though this book may not be his best, it is still pure Baldacci and a good read (or listen). It twisted and turned a lot (maybe too mch). I dd not care for the female narrator or the sound effects. But the suspense outweighs it all.

I absolutely loved Nobody's Fool and was very dissappointed with The Straight Man. This was in the middle of those two. I appreciate Russo's tales for his male perspective. The story is still interesting to me, as a woman, as I can relate to many (not all) of the family, growing up quirks he describes. Families and marriages are never very simple and neither is this story.