We're Just Like You, Only Prettier

Confessions of a Tarnished Southern Belle

By: Celia Rivenbark

Narrated by: Cynthia Darlow

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Humorous essays on life in the south. A Southern woman's take on daily life.

©2005 Celia Rivenbark (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

fun ahead

Always a good time and a great way to escape the real world. Also, people think I'm crazy when I start laughing out loud.... wearing headphones. 😁

Narration was distracting

Would you try another book from Celia Rivenbark and/or Steven Crossley?

Not sure

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator was breathy. I know that sounds picky but there were pauses and backgound noises that made it sound like pages turning. The narration was also slow like the narrator was bored.

Do you think We're Just Like You, Only Prettier needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, I didn't find the author's humor to be that witty. I love Southern humor but the delivery in this book seemed to spoil the punch lines.

Narrator was so distracting

What made the experience of listening to We're Just Like You, Only Prettier the most enjoyable?

Celia Rivenbark's writing is hilarious!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I think the narrator sounded as if she may have had a cold and was congested. It was the only reason I could imagine for hearing her breathing, swallowing, and long pauses. I wanted to hand her a bottle of water so she could rehydrate. It was also strange listening to a much older woman talk about her preschooler. I prefer when Celia reads her own books. :)

Giggling through the struggle

The books overall persona, was hilariously delightful. Although due to the manner of how the book was written, I could see how it was a collection of newspapers columns. I was struggling to finish the book.

Narrator

I could not listen tonthismdientontjrnmarrator constantly licking her lips or swallowing or something. Too much mouth noise. I know that sounds odd but it was difficult to listen too. Sorry. I wanted to enjoy it but just couldn’t.

The narrator kills the book - & not in a good way

For anyone who has listeded to Celia Rivenbark narrate any of her other books, you will be SORELY disappointed with the narration of this book, which is not narrated by Celia. Rather, the publishers seem to have found an 80-year old emphazemic with no comedic timing to narrrate this book. It's hard to believe that this 80-year old sounding woman, who is supposed to be speaking in Celia's voice, is the mother of a three year old daughter or knows anything about popular culture. Because the narrator has no comedic timing or a sense of sarcasm, much of the humor in the book lays flat. If I had not read this book in hard copy when it was originally published and this was my first exposure to one of Celia's books, I would never purchase another. In addition to the 80+ year old emphazemic voice, it's hard to get over that you can actually hear that the narrator either has a bad case of dry mouth and/ or she is inhaling and exhaling her cigarettes. You hear those sticky mouth sounds like people get when they don't have enough saliva in their mouth. If I could have given the performance 0 stars, I would have. Shame on the publishers and audio director for ruining an otherwise good book. If you are looking to purchase this book, I would highly recommend getting it in paperback and reading it yourself rather than listen to this low-rent production of the book.

Not what I expected...

What would have made We're Just Like You, Only Prettier better?

A different narrator and more of a story line.

Would you ever listen to anything by Celia Rivenbark again?

maybe

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She seemed unsure, lot of pauses... could hear her breathing... voice was not one of a southern belle.

Any additional comments?

Typically, I must finish what I start, but I had to turn this audio book off.

Tarnished For Sure

What disappointed you about We're Just Like You, Only Prettier?

I was hopeing that this was going to be a funny read.....but not so......It was put downs,
and a lot of complants......It was more like listening in on a negative out look on life.....

What was most disappointing about Celia Rivenbark’s story?

The fact that I spent some of my time listening to her book and I was looking forward to
listening to funny stories and something that would make me smile.....

Would you be willing to try another one of Steven Crossley’s performances?

? I would sware that Steven Crossley was a female......an older woman......an I wrong?

Any additional comments?

Do not think I'll buy another one of her books......r

Great book, wrong narrator.

Unfortunately I listened to these in the wrong order & loved the other two with Celia Rivenbark as the narrator. This one doesn't bring forth the comedy nor the character that I had come to love :(