sunstan

Terrible Terrible reader

Reviewed: 01-01-24

This reader is SO terrible that I am tempted to just dump the audio book and buy an actual copy of this book to continue. Her voice is so annoyingly childishly sing songs that I will never purchase another audio book read by Alison Hiroto. Her childish Asian stereotyped nuances have just ruined this book. This good book is really un listenable due to a very poor choice of reader. It could have been so much better with a more interesting, skilled and more adult sounding reader. Perhaps Ms. Horoto would be better off reading children’s books.

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Wanted to love but ending up hating

Reviewed: 08-30-22

Perhaps audio was not the format to make this book acceptable. The constant repetition of the “we” and the stilted format made me nuts. I truly disliked this book. The story was interesting but the very odd presentation is very off putting for a listener. I listened to it to the end because I had purchased it, and thank goodness, it was short. It was a very very weary listen on a long car ride when I could not stop the car to stop the book. Agonizing listen.

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another Orlean winner

Reviewed: 10-10-21

I love everything susan Orlean has ever written, and I especially love when she reads hew own work. It makes me feel right there with the author. If anyone else had written this book titled Rin tin tin, I probably would have taken a pass. But, seeing that Susan Orlean wrote the book, I was in. As with her other work, this book is finely researched and organized into very interesting chapters and then delivered in a very intriguing way. I enjoy the roll out of her story, and trusting her fine research, learn so much about a subject I knew nothing about. It’s a great listen, especially if you are a dog lover and a lover of old Hollywood films. Good job Susan O.

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Susan Orlean for the win

Reviewed: 08-13-21

As always, her enchanting and fully informational writing delights. I love her choice of an almost unheard of subject and then riffs on it fully. Beautifully written and narrated as only Susan Orlean can do.

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1 person found this helpful

reality

Reviewed: 10-02-20

I don't usually read/listen to celebrity books, but was interested in Jessica Simpson's story after following her roller coaster ride of a life in the general media. Open Book delivered a heartfelt telling of Ms. Simpsons very complicated and tumultuous life. It's a good story of personal courage and deep faith. I'm glad that I opted for the audio version because in this case, I wanted to hear the authors story first hand. Jessica's gentle voice delivered her autobiography in a more personal way than if she had chosen a professional reader. Her frailties and self doubt came through clearly. I also liked hearing the 'Texas' within her. All in all, it was a good listen. You want to cheer her on after listening to this book.

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Wishing for a never-end of this book

Reviewed: 09-03-15

If you could sum up Barbarian Days in three words, what would they be?

perfect reminice, haunting

What other book might you compare Barbarian Days to and why?

Most of Russell Chatham's books on fishing. especially Dark Waters

Which scene was your favorite?

Loved every last page

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

A time and a place gone forever

Any additional comments?

I deeply loved this book. The Hawaii chapter took me back to my Kahala childhood of the 60's. It's all true, exactly as Finnegan wrote. I physically flinched at some of the really awful passages about local brutality to outsiders in those days. The surfing life of the 60's and 70's are perfectly captured in Finnegan's memories. I usually dislike author read audiobooks, but Finnegan's voice added so much to this book, making every sentence and remembrance come alive for me, the listener. This is a beautiful book. I found myself repeating paragraphs and sentences so that I could pull even more out of my first listen. I went on the buy the hard copy to be able to read and reread passages. In all of the surfing articles and books I have ever read, this book describes the ocean, the surfer and that surfing set of mind better than anyone. The reader does not even have to have ever touched the ocean to appreciate Finnegan's lucid descriptions of oceans and the world he traveled and surfed in. Amazing book. So glad he wrote it.
Hauolikaimana

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58 people found this helpful

Jim and Ray,,, Perfect Pairing

Reviewed: 03-21-15

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

If you love Jim Harrison, then you will enjoy this book. It is classic Harrison.

If you’ve listened to books by Jim Harrison before, how does this one compare?

Yes. I like his style and I adore his take on life. Jim Harrisson is pretty consistent with both of these elements in his books.

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

Ray Porter is THE perfect reader for Jim Harrison's work. No other reader captures Harrison as well as Porter does. Excellent. He brings Harrison's words alive. I feel a tad let down when listening to a Harrison with another reader. Porter's voice and cadence personifies Harrison's characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I pretty much did.

Any additional comments?

Keep up the good work, Jim. Listening to a Harrison-Porter book is a great experience.

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2 people found this helpful

Excellent in every way

Reviewed: 01-22-15

Loved this book. A perfect listen. Lamb is one of the few authors who successfully reads his work. Story line was compelling and complex. Superb audio book.

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1 person found this helpful

Please pay for a professional Reader

Reviewed: 12-07-14

Would you try another book from Lisa Genova and/or Lisa Genova?

yes

What didn’t you like about Lisa Genova’s performance?

Monotone. The author is a good writer but a horrible reader. I don't understand why a professional reader was not used. The flat and emotionless voice made the book unbearable to listen to at times. I wish that I had purchased this book in book form and not audio. It's a struggle to stay with that flat voice reading this compelling story.

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108 people found this helpful