It was a little strange... when I started this it did not feel like all the other books in the series.
Audiobook Nathaniel Parker - Narrator Duration: 03It was a little strange... when I started this it did not feel like all the other books in the series.
Crude language - not my thing. And even though the narrator is nominated for an Audie Award, I can't say that I cared for it.
Audiobook Narrated by MarnCrude language - not my thing. And even though the narrator is nominated for an Audie Award, I can't say that I cared for it.
Audiobook Narrated by Marni Penning Duration: 10:02:26
My ultimate emotion upon finishing this novel was one of disappointment. Ms. Quindlen is one of my favorite author2 ½ stars (but rounded down, not up)
My ultimate emotion upon finishing this novel was one of disappointment. Ms. Quindlen is one of my favorite authors, and it seemed like I had been waiting forever for another novel of hers to be published. Unfortunately, it was not worth the wait.
This did not seem like much of a coherent story. It was more just a bunch of random musings that flitted back and forth through time. I would classify this novel as a character study, but I never felt like I knew who these people were. I never got clear pictures of them in my mind.
The narrator was monotone, and did not do this novel any favors. Not only that, but she weirdly lifted her voice and accented the last syllable of the last word in most sentences, which I thought was completely annoying. I don’t know if my mind frequently wandered because of the flat narration or because of the overall lack of plot to this story, but I found myself frequently rewinding. If I could have found a hard copy, I would have abandoned the audiobook.
On a personal level, this story should have resonated with me as my sisters and I shared many of the same experiences as the children in the Brown family, but somehow it did not.
Audiobook Narrated by Gilli Messer Duration 07:49:13...more
I was utterly charmed by the innocence and naivete of the 5 puppets… the King, the Wolf, the Boy, the Girl and the Owl. The story was enhanced by one I was utterly charmed by the innocence and naivete of the 5 puppets… the King, the Wolf, the Boy, the Girl and the Owl. The story was enhanced by one of the most perfect narrations I have ever listened to.
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Audiobook Allan Corduner – Narrator Duration: 01:39:29...more
There were several things I appreciated about this novel!
• The author’s use of language was exquisite • I felt transported right into the he3 ½ stars
There were several things I appreciated about this novel!
• The author’s use of language was exquisite • I felt transported right into the heart of the Regency period • The time period as comforting as an old friend • The proximity to Jane Austen was as charming and enjoyable as I had hoped it would be
But sadly, I could not find much to like nor admire any of the other characters. I felt that most of the Austen family (as well as Miss Anne Sharp) were portrayed in a very poor light. I would have enjoyed the book more had I liked the characters more.
Be sure not to miss the Author’s Note at the end of the novel.
Audiobook Narrated by Bessie Carter Duration: 10:59:01...more
Surprisingly, my choice for Favorite Book Read in 2021 was a children’s book. I loved it, recommended it to friends,[image]
FAVORITE BOOK READ IN 2021
Surprisingly, my choice for Favorite Book Read in 2021 was a children’s book. I loved it, recommended it to friends, and gifted it to my granddaughter for Christmas. I especially enjoyed the charm and innocence of the 3 children, and was exceedingly delighted to step out of my reality and step into their lives, even if only for a short space of time.
I had several contenders for Book of the Year, so don’t imagine I selected this one by default. I actually had 9 other first-time-read 5 star novels to consider! Even though Covid put a damper of much of 2021, at least it was a good year for reading.
Original Review
I adored everything about this book. (Well, maybe not the part about the rats, but I probably wasn’t supposed to adore the rats!) When I first started listening to the story I thought the narrator was reading too slowly, but I was wrong! Her reading of the book was perfection itself.
I would have finished this much sooner but I only allowed myself to listen to it while on my walks. It was a HUGE motivator to get out there in the chill and the damp and get my daily exercise. I was so disappointed to finish it today - I wanted it to go on for much longer.
If you are in the mood for a charming story, this should fit the bill nicely.
Audiobook Narrated by Polly Lee 8 hours and 6 minutes...more
I adored the first part, tolerated the middle part and slogged my way through the final part. I had to set aside the audiobook, and read the last seveI adored the first part, tolerated the middle part and slogged my way through the final part. I had to set aside the audiobook, and read the last several chapters just so I could finish it.
I got so tired of listening to:
• Gwen- with her persistent demands to be told Iris’s wartime secrets, her potential romance with a low class person she had no business being with, and her plummy accent that was so sharp it could cut glass.
• Iris - with her perpetual one-liners and “snappy repartee”. (Please note that I am NOT a fan of Dorothy Parker, and Iris was very reminiscent of her.)
• Cockney accents – I love a British accent, but (sorry) Cockney gives me a headache. A little ‘enry ‘iggons” goes a long way. ”Should ‘ave been,” said Elsie. If ‘e’d a done as ‘e oughter, which ‘e din’t.”
I quite enjoyed much of this book, but I was frequently irked by parts. I mostly wanted to read about the Marriage Bureau, but unfortunately, matchmaking did not figure prominently in the story. Hence, the 3 star rating. I doubt I will continue with the series.
Audiobook Narrated by Sarah Nichols Duration: 08:44:16...more
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