The Black Men and Steven Spielberg

De: Jules Okapi

Narrado por: Robyn Hurst

Semi-autobiographical but mostly fantastical essay on growing up in the outdoors of California, and the importance of having family just as quirky and not-quirky as you are.

©2011 JC Andrijeski (P)2014 JC Andrijeski

Short and Sweet

Where does The Black Men and Steven Spielberg rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the shortest audiobook that I have ever listened to. That being said, I didn't want it to end. The story held my attention and kept me intrigued.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The father. Although he was only mentioned through the children's memories. More specifically, one phrase of his was repeated numerous times. I'll recall this phrase for days to come, I'm sure.

Have you listened to any of Robyn Hurst’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Robyn's voice never disappoints. Her performance was emotional, calming, and enhanced the story tremendously.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Several of the coming of age tidbits within the story were extremely relatable. So my mind was agreeing with the story line on more than one occasion.

Any additional comments?

The lyrical flow of the words (albeit enhanced tremendously by the talented narrater) was enjoyable. If you're looking for a short piece, I would recommend this one. I would be interested in future works by this author, as well as future performances by Robyn Hurst.

A Beautiful Series of Vignettes

Would you consider the audio edition of The Black Men and Steven Spielberg to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version of this book, but I can definitely recommend the audio version. It has been masterfully read by Robyn Hurst, who's easy-to-listen-to narration brings Jules Okapi's words to life in a way that makes you want to drift away on them.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The story is from the point of view of only one character, the narrator, and we see her impressions of her own life flash before our eyes as we listen to the static pictures and short spaces of time that she remembers fly by us.

Have you listened to any of Robyn Hurst’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but I am definitely willing to buy another book narrated by Robyn Hurst. She has a sweet voice that easily picks up the different characters and their attitudes throughout the story.

Who was the most memorable character of The Black Men and Steven Spielberg and why?

The main character, because the whole book is her life as she remembers it in pieces.

Any additional comments?

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what are pictures created by words worth? Jules Okapi's short story is about a life seen through vivid images and segments of time that display, in stunning detail, what that life is to the person who lives it. Robyn Hurst's masterful narration brings these 'picture windows' to life in a way that let's those of us who listen relive our own childhood--both in the fanciful memories that seemed so important to us back then, and in the stark understanding of what loss--and our first taste of the real world--felt like.

This is a wonderful book and, because it is only 30 minutes long, is the perfect selection for a drive, or for a short trip outside of your own mind. I would recommend it to anyone.

Vividly descriptive.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

We all have memories from childhood of adventures and special places and events that shaped our growing up. This short story unlocks some of those long forgotten doors into the rich fantasy world of childhood.

What does Robyn Hurst bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Robyn's narration is clear and expressive. Easy to listen to.

If you could take any character from The Black Men and Steven Spielberg out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I suppose I would want to take her dad out to dinner. I can imagine that he could tell quite a yarn about his own childhood and how it shaped him and his own family.

Fantstic!!!!!

Robyn Hurst does a phenomenal job reading. Book is awesome!!! Short fantastic story of becoming .

Okapi's Quirky and Wonderful World

What made the experience of listening to The Black Men and Steven Spielberg the most enjoyable?

The poetic language and unusual story. It captured the beauty and innocence of childhood from building forts and brother and sister conflicts.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved the relationship between the father and the daughter.

What about Robyn Hurst’s performance did you like?

I think her warm voice was perfect for the poetic language. Also, she showed great control in not over emoting with her voice and let the story and language stand on its own.

Who was the most memorable character of The Black Men and Steven Spielberg and why?

The whole family and setting was a character. Although the language is beautiful, the family is relatable and the conflicts real.

Insightful, fantastical, poetical, REAL.

What made the experience of listening to The Black Men and Steven Spielberg the most enjoyable?

The descriptions!!!! and the trips down memory lane that brought up memories of my own childhood...even sensory images!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character and her self-....introspection? Interesting what we see when we look back...

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of sliding down on the grassy hill...and the laughter with family.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The adventure was real

Any additional comments?

Such descriptive writing...knowing ahead that this would be a series of vignettes and not a chronological biography may have helped, but such great descriptions that emoted a lot of my own memories. And the narrator's voice was spot on. Calming when needed, energetic and exciting when needed. Introspective. She seemed to capture the right emotions.

Made me think of my own childhood imagination

I could feel the cold on the children's fingertips, the warmth of the house, the hurt of her brother when she made him mad. Jules Okapi has an amazing way with words, and Robyn Hurst was able to bring true shine to them as narrator.