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Andrew Smith's Reviews > Missing You
Missing You
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I'm taking a 'life's too short' approach to books these days and on this basis I've decided it's way too short to continue with this one.
I've preached about the value I put on audiobooks before but there is a downside to this format. If the reader is good it can add value to the telling of the story but if they are bad it can ruin it completely. Now, I'm not saying Kerry Shale is a bad reader but here he uses some terrible, condescending voices to portray a number of the male characters. It's just so off-putting I can't continue.
As for the story, I'm afraid it just feels very routine and unexciting. The characters are one dimensional and overall it's just dull, dull, dull.
Ah well, the good news is it will free me up to pick up something better.
I've preached about the value I put on audiobooks before but there is a downside to this format. If the reader is good it can add value to the telling of the story but if they are bad it can ruin it completely. Now, I'm not saying Kerry Shale is a bad reader but here he uses some terrible, condescending voices to portray a number of the male characters. It's just so off-putting I can't continue.
As for the story, I'm afraid it just feels very routine and unexciting. The characters are one dimensional and overall it's just dull, dull, dull.
Ah well, the good news is it will free me up to pick up something better.
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Missing You.
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Reading Progress
May 12, 2015
–
Started Reading
May 12, 2015
– Shelved
May 14, 2015
–
20.0%
"I wasn't sure about picking up this one, I've had mixed experiences with Coben. And y doubts are starting to prove my instincts right - I'm reasonably sure I've worked the whole thing out already! I hope I'm wrong."
May 14, 2015
–
20.0%
"I wasn't sure about picking up this one, I've had mixed experiences with Coben. And my doubts are starting to prove my instincts right - I'm reasonably sure I've worked the whole thing out already! I hope I'm wrong."
May 14, 2015
– Shelved as:
not-finished
May 14, 2015
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-21 of 21 (21 new)
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Suz
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rated it 5 stars
Aug 21, 2015 04:50AM
What a shame Andrew. But lots more out there, huh?
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Yes, loads out there Suzanne - so a few duffers along the way is just par for the course :)
Yes! I'm just starting and need to check out those few you told me about the other day. Thank you for that as I'm definitely a novice :))
I'll be looking out to see how you get on :)
I'm starting this as a paper ok Andrew, was a bit bummed to see your 1 star review.. Hopefully it'll be something light for me!
I've enjoyed Coben in the past, and I was certainly put off by the reader. I hope you have a better experience, Suzanne :)
I've listened to the version read by January LaVoy. Her performance was terrific IMHO. It added what was missing to reach 5 stars for a book that on paper might have rated only 4.
Enrico wrote: "I've listened to the version read by January LaVoy. Her performance was terrific IMHO. It added what was missing to reach 5 stars for a book that on paper might have rated only 4."That's interesting, Enrico. There's been quite a bit of debate, of late, about how much impact the reader has on the enjoyment of a story. I'm not suggesting this is in any way conclusive but it does provide food for thought. Thanks for your input.
Andrew wrote: "Enrico wrote: "I've listened to the version read by January LaVoy. Her performance was terrific IMHO. It added what was missing to reach 5 stars for a book that on paper might have rated only 4."..."
Well, my point of view is slightly different as I'm italian and I listen to audiobooks in English. This means that for me the value of a performance depends on factor that might be unimportant for most of you, like the clear pronunciation, the use or not of heavy local accents a.s.o. Anyway also in italian audiobooks the performance of the actor has an impact for me, especially comparing two books by the same author and same serie but read by two different performers. For me the performance in audiobooks adds a "third dimension" in the evauation, together with plot and writing style that apply to written books.
Some very interesting and valid points there, Enrico. And I like the idea of the 'third dimension', which I agree with.
As I read more Andrew, I'm really enjoying it, but a dodgy audio experience, would just kill it. I think narrating a book would be so hard.. Glad I can sit back in the listeners chair!
Jen wrote: "Pass -thx Andrew!"Wise call, in my view.
Suzanne wrote: "As I read more Andrew, I'm really enjoying it, but a dodgy audio experience, would just kill it. I think narrating a book would be so hard.. Glad I can sit back in the listeners chair!"I'll be interested to hear what you think as you get deeper into it, Suzanne. Hopefully you'll continue to enjoy it.
But this debate about the impact off a dodgy reader continues to excercise my thoughts. And all my recent experience screams at me that you're absolutely right - a good reader can't fix a bad book but a bad read can spoil a good 'un.
Yes! I'll review soon as I'm flying through it. I actually haven't revisited audio for quite some time. I think with me it will be a once in a while thing.
I completely agree with you Andrew. I got the audio book and could not continue. Your comments are spot on to my experience.
Taylor Aviles wrote: "I completely agree with you Andrew. I got the audio book and could not continue. Your comments are spot on to my experience."Thanks, Taylor! It's good to know I'm not the only to form this view :)
I loved Jennifer LaVoy narrating. I'm confused about who Kerry Shale is
Stephanie wrote: "I loved Jennifer LaVoy narrating. I'm confused about who Kerry Shale is"There are a couple of versions of the audiobook out there, Stephanie. The one I listened too was published by Orion and is available via Audible UK. I think most people will probably listen to the version you did. My bad luck, I think!
I'm listening to an audio of his at the moment, Andrew. They are good (male and female). But you're right, it's very hit and miss isn't it.
Suzanne wrote: "I'm listening to an audio of his at the moment, Andrew. They are good (male and female). But you're right, it's very hit and miss isn't it."I think that's the way with audiobooks (I've sometimes stopped listening to a book everyone I know has loved because I just hated the way it was being read) and Coben, who I think can be excellent, average or simply terrible.
With this one, for me it was a combination of the two: a reader I didn't like listening too and a story I thought was very average.
I did listen to another Coben book recently and I really enjoyed it - that's just the way it goes, I think. Hope you get on OK with the one you're listening too, Suzanne.
