LISTENER

Laura

  • 20
  • reviews
  • 0
  • helpful votes
  • 90
  • ratings

Tedious and Little Substance

Overall
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-29-07

If I'd wanted to read about the impact of Hurricane Katrina I would have selected a non-fiction account. The reader is excellent but that's about the best I can say about this tediously drawn out tale that is very slowly built up. If I hadn't purchased the book, I would have not gotten past the first third but I plugged along through very long narratives in which the inner thoughts and reflections of the main and secondary characters are spelled out in detail. Once I got into the second half, the main plot picks up but then falls flat in an unsatisfying ending. Again, if you want to read about Burke's perspective of Katrina's impact upon his community, this is the best part of the book. but, that's not what I was looking for. I recalled enjoying Burke's earlier books, particulary the main character, Dave R but this was my first audible book (of his). I think he went quite a bit farther with internal soliloquies about the prejudices of the region and placing blame on the establishment for the trajic destruction from the hurricanes. I just didin't enjoy being forced to hear it all because you can't skim an audible book. I thought I was choosing a good mystery/detective story and instead got a history lesson from a fictional writer. This just moved too slowly and the main plot had little substance.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Ten Stars

Overall
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-17-07

If I could, I'd give this book ten stars. I felt similarly about Pillars of Earth. Initially, I thought the story line was a bit too much like a soap opera, with the personal relationships filled with sex and rage. But, the characters take form and are incredibly well-developed as this book relates the lives two and three generations following the main characters in Pillars of the Earth. The politics between church and town are well-woven into the story creating tension and intrigue. The impact of the bubonic plague and the war between England and France bring the history of the times to life in a way that no history book could ever do. There were times that I stayed up way later than I should have because I just couldn't stop listening. The narrator does more than read . . . he acts out the scenes and creates the characters extremely well. My only regret is that I finished this book today. And now what do I do! I'm afraid that anything I choose will pale in comparison.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

88 people found this helpful

Deserves 10 Stars

Overall
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-01-07

The most incredible book I've ever read or listened too. Very rich characters and very interesting backdrop with the building of a cathedral and the politics of the times. I was sorry it ended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

Far too long

Overall
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-01-07

I might have given this another star if the pace was a bit faster. I'd thought the Bangkok backdrop would be interesting but I found the story to be extremely drawn out with numerous epilogues from the main character that were just too much. I just can't manage to finish the book, which is unusual for me. I would like to know who did kill the victim but I cannot keep track of the twists in the story line. I don't know how this could have won any accolades and I'm certainly not moved to read more from this author.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A little light in the story line

Overall
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-30-07

I have enjoyed every book in this series and listed to my first audio version with Twelve Sharp. I was so pleased with that book that I downloaded Lean Mean Thirteen as soon as it was available. BUt I'm disappointed. The endearing characteristics of this series are the humor, ditsy Stephanie Plum, who actually turns out to be quite clever and sexy, her relationship with two hot men and her crazy family, each with a personality that perks up the series. I just felt that this particular story is so light it just doesn't come through and engage me. Usually I enjoy the main plot as well as a couple others that occur concurrently. All were bland. If this were any other series, it would get a single star. But, for Stephanie Plum, I give it a 3 star rating, which is actually low for this series. Janet, I'll give you one more chance to get back to a juicy plot.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Silly Beach Read

Overall
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-01-07

I have loved Patterson's Alex Cross & Women's Murder Club series, reading every book over the years. However, now it looks like Patterson is collaborating with other writers, producing books like a factory. The Quickie is below the quality I'm accustomed to from him. The story line is like a melodramatic daytime soap or a comic strip. The heroine seems fashioned after the Stephanie Plum character from another series -- ditzy & naive but not as sharp. Even the personal relationships are unappealing. The plot twists and turns . . . time and again the heroine is saved at the last minute by one completely implausible event after another. If I hadn't purchased the book I might not have finished it. And, I was planning a really low score of 1 star. However, the last 10% of the story actually kept me listening, not wanting to "put the book down," with a finalle that was satisfying albeit unlikely. So, I gave it two stars. If you must listen because you are a loyal Patterson fan, keep this for lying on the beach or commuting to work. Otherwise, save your credits for something enthralling -- like DeMille's Lions Game or Wild Fire or Christopher's Ghosts which I'm listening to right now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Way too long

Overall
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-27-07

As other reviewers have said, this is an excellent history lesson, but with extreme detail. The story line is interesting enough that I plodded through all the history just to see what happens at the end. While I enjoyed the plot, I have to say that I didn't think it realistic. It's hard to believe that the main character's experiences with young love during college could truly motivate him to throw away his career and personal life and go racing around the world to determine her innocence.

So why have a rated this a four? First, my husband loved it. Second, the historic elements are truly well-done. I might just go back and listen again just to learn the history of the middle east crisis. Third, I did want to know what happens to David in the end and the long read was worth it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fun but not enthralling

Overall
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-27-07

I have read every Lucas Davenport book as soon as it was published and this was my first "listen" in the series. I have to say that the narrator did not capture my interest. He portrays Lucas a bit differently than I have imagined him over the years and I can't hold him accountable for that. I just found it difficult to distinguish between the characters. An earlier review says just the opposite so I guess this is a draw. Decide for yourself.

Regarding the story, you know who the killers are early on. The story focuses upon Lucas and other characters as they unravel the mystery little by little, with some twists and surprises along the way. It's intelligently done and the quilting backdrop is interesting. But I found myself wishing for the more enthralling, heart-pumping hunt for the seriel murderer plots of the earlier Davenport series. This is still a great book and worth the read. After all, you just have to keep up with Lucas Davenport. I just couldn't give it higher than a four. As an earlier reviewer says, it's a good beach book and will certainly entertain you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

Nineteen Minutes Audiobook By Jodi Picoult cover art

Deeply Moving

Overall
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-02-07

This is a book I will think about for a long time. It left me feeling pain and empathy for the main characters. This is my first Piccolt book. All I can say is that she has researched the topic of bullying in schools, coming of age and finding one's place in the social structure of children and teens. I wish I had read this when my children were younger. Now I want to ask them about what happened in their schools.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Thrilling

Overall
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-29-07

I enjoyed every minute of this rich and suspenseful spy novel. The characters are so real they make you wonder if this could really happen. Sometimes a "one man show" such as Mitch Rapp is too much to believe but Vince Flynn does such a good job developing the story line and the character depth that the plot comes alive. I literally couldn't put it down and was actually sorry when it ended. I can't wait to hear the next book which I expect will continue as the characters, and the history they live, will continue into their future.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!