Peter

Well written, well crafted - goes on a bit

Revisado: 11-13-23

Like most books I read and enjoy, the first 75% rocks - but the last 25% is overkill. Even the great Stephen King has this issue in many of his novels. In this one it went from masterful creative storytelling to the need to wrap everything up with a bow. The premise and characters are well developed and the antagonist is fantastic. Sam’s roll models are a little too perfect to believe. - as is Sam himself. We identify with his pain - but never have the chance to fully embrace it as his character is highly successful in everything he does. Once the central conflict was resolved - It got a little sugary, and more like a day to day diary than a well told story. The character arc gets obscured at the end as the focus becomes more about appeasing the last wishes of dying parents than the central character overcoming his struggles - which are all too perfectly resolved in the end.

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Thin plot line, Sophomoric take on mature themes

Revisado: 08-09-23

After reading the reviews for this series, I was ready to immerse myself in an adventurous, dystopian journey. What i found instead was a plot line reminiscent of every other dystopian theme under the sun. Not one new concept was expressed. But the purely derivative plot wasn't the worst of it.

Drea started off as a strong female character. An independent thinker who innately knew something was amiss in her walled in - saccharine perfect - post apocalyptic society. But it didn't take long for her character to devolve into a Marsha Brady-esque woman child who became progressively more obsessed with her new boyfriend as the story progressed.

She toggled annoyingly between utterly prudish and ultra sexually charged. No solid character arch from one to another, just a constant barrage of neurotic, whiney indecision. This 20 year old character was behaving like a 14 year old - at best.

The author's writing style was adequately descriptive and she did a fair job at world building - but this effort was lost in the insipid overuse of the word "twisted" and multiple references to Drea's digestive reactions to almost every situation.

Being a story junky who rarely gives up, I really wanted to get to the end of this plot line - but I couldn't handle all the distractions. The reader didn't help as half her inflections were up-speak when interpreting a definitive sentence or thought.

I am rarely this disappointed by writing style and character dialogue. I truly couldn't bare listening anymore. I suppose it could be argued that I am several decades beyond the target YA audience - but some of the best books I've read have been YA.

If you are looking for original plot lines, well-crafted writing and relatable characters - this book is not for you.

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An insider’s look at music from many angles

Revisado: 06-19-18

I enjoyed this book and learned a lot about the creative and business aspects of music.
David Byrne is a smart and honest writer and the material that wasn’t derivative of his personal career seemed well researched.
He approaches music from several angles and as a result sometimes the material can get repetitive as certain topics are re-explored. Other than this, I found the pacing good and subject matter interesting and engaging.
The parts I expected to be dry, like the business and technical aspects of music, proved to be the most interesting to
me.

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A great historical overview with no academic pressure

Revisado: 06-15-15

I thoroughly enjoyed this lecture series. Although this course had its fair share of specific dates and events, the context and overview of the time period made them relevant and easier to comprehend.

The19th century was a pivotal and complex time and Europe was the most powerful and volatile continent. A lot happened.

Professor Weiner is a master of the topic. He offers great insights into the trends of humanity, the effects of the events that shaped 19th century Europe and its impact on the 20th century and beyond.

I had a difficult time keeping track of all the political and social systems that came into play during this century because many were launched and tried during this tumultuous time. If I were to follow the book recommendations of the professor I'm sure I'd have a clearer understanding of 19th century liberalism, early anarchism and socialism - to name a familiar few.

This was my first experience with the "Great Courses" lecture series and I can only hope that my next one will be as informative and fulfilling.

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Well crafted but quick to resolve

Revisado: 05-17-15

The whole series is well written taking us on a fantastic journey through time and multiple lands and cultures.

This third book rapidly moves into the next 2 generations while continuing many of the central conflicts from the earlier books.

The last third of the novel focuses on WWI in a captivating and detailed manner. The main characters stay key to the bigger story.

My only issue with the conclusion of the trilogy is its abrupt ending. It technically resolves the series - but feels rushed and less thorough than the capabilities of the author had proved up to that point.

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Brilliant, relevant and moving.

Revisado: 09-27-12

Would you consider the audio edition of The Old Man and the Sea to be better than the print version?

Different but equal. The writing is so engaging and econimical and the character of old man so real that it's difficult to separate the message from the medium.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Old Man and the Sea?

As the Old Man sat alone in his boat struggling with pain, thirst, weakness and nausea, he recalled a time from his younger days when he engaged a sailer in a 20 hour arm wrestling match. This moment in the story defined raw endurance and determination more effectively than anything else I've ever read.

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

Donald Southerland reads with great clarity and just enough expression to let the writing tell the story. After listening to the book, I can't imagine anyone else doing a better job than he. His voice, I'm sure, is far superior than my inner reading voice would be.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved by the Old Man's respect for the fish. He never belittled or underestimated his opponent, which lended a fresh perspective to his trade.

Any additional comments?

What can be said about one of the greatest stories ever told? Read it, cherish it, learn from it.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Scientifically sound - characters lacked charisma

Revisado: 09-27-12

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I'm a fan of time travel sci fi but this particular story is one of first of that genre that didn't grab me. Although the science is well explained, the characters ultimately fall flat. Unlikely love in an emotionless, timeless world serves as the catalist for all of the conflicts that ensue, but this love never feels real. This book's strength lies in its well thought out paradoxical speculations and I'm sure there are plenty of Sci Fi buffs who will get something out of it.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I thought the ending was actually the best part. It had a good twist that oriented us back into the time contueum that we currently understand as reality. But, unfortunately, it was too little too late.

What three words best describe Paul Boehmer’s performance?

The reader was acceptable. There wouldn't be much else Mr. Boehmer could do to spice this one up. I ended up listening to the second half of the book at 3x speed once I realized that emotional cadence played a very small role in this story.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The End of Eternity?

I wouldn't necessarily exclude any scenes, but the story could benefit from exploring a smaller scope of time. The biggest scientific leap of faith in this book is the assumption that humanity will last over 100,000 centuries. That phenomenal span of time makes it difficult recognize or relate to the majority of the events intended to drive the story.

Any additional comments?

This novel was written in the mid fifties, at the dawn of the cold war, when sensibilities were certainly different from today's. For those readers who'd like to explore sci fi written during this era, novels by Ray Bradbury and Arthur C. Clarke might serve them better.

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A well constructed and captivating story.

Revisado: 09-26-12

If you could sum up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in three words, what would they be?

Larsson was a master of detail. He takes the mundane process of investigative journalism and puts a poignant and relevant spin on it. His characters are unusual but plausible. It is rare to find a book this lengthy to be such a quick and easy read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?

The action scenes are few and far between but certainly worth the wait. The rape and retaliation chapters are the most memorable. The climactic confrontation between the murderer and investigators wraps the central story up with a great payoff.

Which scene was your favorite?

Lizbeth's quirky genius is the glue that holds the reader. All of the best scenes of the story include her.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The overall message that honesty and integrity wins in the end is inspirational. That said, Larrson certainly dipped deep into several moral grey areas to get that message across.

Any additional comments?

The sometimes dark and gloomy nature of this story is offset by an optimistic message.

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