LISTENER

Kraig

  • 54
  • reviews
  • 50
  • helpful votes
  • 58
  • ratings

Sir Percy at his finest!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-05-24

This was my third book this year from the Scarlet Pimpernel series. It’s this book that the 1982 movie (starring Anthony Andrews as Sir Percy Blakeney/the Scarlet Pimpernel, the protagonist, Jane Seymour as Marguerite St. Just, the love interest, and Ian McKellen as Chauvelin, the antagonist) draws from for the saving of the uncrowned king of France, Little Capet / The Dauphin and the betrayal and capture of Sir Percy.

Given that it is book #7 in the series, it alludes multiple times to the adventures that have taken place since book 1, and yet if you’ve read/listened to book #1 you can jump into this one. To me if feel like a Sherlock Holmes story. Even though it’s set in the midst of great tragedy, you know that nothing too terrible is going to happen to any of the heroes, and due to Sir Percy’s honor, chivalry, might and brains everything is going to come out alright in the end.

It’s an exciting adventure, full of twists and turns. I really enjoyed it and was eager to listen through to the end. Baroness Orczy drives you mad with Armand’s reckless actions, and yet the dignity with which Sir Percy meets it all “as if he planned for it” is truly remarkable. You really do get the sense that God wants to open the way before him despite all odds just because he is so true, so just and upright. I only wish he truly had saved the Dauphin (who is actuality died in captivity).

I’m not sure why it’s called El Dorado, the title makes you think it has some connection to Spanish gold. The last chapter in the book is called, “The Road to El Dorado” which I think just means Sir Percy and Marguerite are once more on the road to a golden, happily ever after.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A brilliant continuation of Sir Percy’s escapades!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-19-24

Brilliant, thoroughly enjoyed it! I only wish there were more of Orczy’s novels on Audible! Though Sir Percy is a vital part of the narrative, Paul Déroulède and Juliette Marny are the main characters. Though book 3 in the series, it really can operate as a stand alone.

It’s exciting, full of action and suspense. Of course you know where it’s headed, but not exactly how. As soon as Déroulède showed up at her trial I felt sure what disguise Sir Percy had assumed, the clever man! I wished that once safe, Paul and Juliette would have had more dialogue. It felt odd that it ends by him calling her his wife. Wait, I missed the wedding!? And poor Ann, it would have felt sweet if she could have found love too as part of an epilogue to the story since after all it is all fictional. I did miss the humour. I felt like that was one of the greatest things about The Scarlet Pimpernel is all the humour, and all the funny expressions of the day.

Overall a delightful listen!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

“1861 plus four means Abraham Lincoln and…”

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-10-24

“1861 plus four means Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.” As each chapter chronicled the fervent hopes that the war would be over after a year of bloody conflict, then two… I kept thinking of that school-time rhyme, and four long years of war. When I think Civil War, thoughts always jump to the battlefield, but this story focused on the war at home. The starvation, the distrust, the emotions run high… all the things you never think of.

My temperament can’t take the tales of impending doom. Horrific things happen to men and women around her, but not Elizabeth. I like Chiaverini’s writing style in that it’s highly educational, great historical fiction. I learned so much about war time Richmond through the eyes of Miss Van Lew. I looked up her story online and was relieved to know that she made it through relatively unscathed, she was smart and used her position to great advantage.

The drawbacks were that I felt the union was over-glorified. Lincoln’s government overreach was not to be praised, and it’s due to ground lost at the time of the Civil War that we are in the political mess we’re in currently as a nation. The conflict was about state’s rights, and only late in the war did the question of slavery become a central tenant. But, with a broad sweep it’s painted that the North opposed slavery and the South clung to it, which is never wholly true.

Too much time was given to troop movements and campaign details. It felt like aspects of the story kept repeating, same song different verse. Which, I know that was the reality of it, but my interest flagged. Also, I hated that the stories of different men in the prisons would be introduced but then not finished. Like the men whose names were chosen by lot to stand awaiting the death sentence if men captured by the North weren’t freed.

Overall, it was an excellent narrative. I liked how realistically Elizabeth was portrayed. There were many moments when I could picture myself in wartime Richmond, facing the despair, and starvation, the utter cruelty. The bravery of men and women - particularly those in the black community - was incredible. They took a stand knowing they would face a torturous death if caught. Well worth a listen.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

More academic report than enthralling novel, but…

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-13-24

After listening to so many WWII books, it was fascinating diving into one about WWI. I knew nothing about the “Hello Girls” before this book. Jennifer did an incredible job researching and weaving together the stories of the courageous women that answered Uncle Sam’s call to serve their country in France. This book feels far more like a report than a historical fiction novel. The story is highly secondary to the in-depth look you get at the process of becoming and serving as a switchboard soldier. On the one hand I liked the academic approach, it didn’t feel as nerve wracking as say, “Lilac Girls” or the “Testament of Youth” movie (both WWII stories). But on the other hand it did feel pedantic at times. And also, while many different love stories were introduced, none of them really went anywhere. Marie searches for Giovanni throughout the war, and then in the final moments gets reunited with him, no explanation of why he never tried to contact her? And Grace, good grief why did you not marry Captain Mac? Visit your family and then marry the man! The epilogue tells you she married a Eugene and had four kids… but man, I really was rooting for the handsome Australian. There just felt like too many broken love stories… Hilda (Valerie’s Sister) dumps her man, then Inez, then Grace… I kept waiting for someone to lose their sweetheart or brother in the war, but no.

Knowing at the end that Grace (and Inez, I looked that one up) was a real person, while Valerie and Marie were fictional made sense. More liberties were taken with their stories. Overall it was excellent, just good to know what you’re getting yourself into. More spoilers, the brothers Eugene and Henry survive the war.

Maybe these things were spelled out in the book, but I missed them… “Ersatz” coffee is from German, literally meaning “replacement.”

And “Dough Boys” from History.com: According to one explanation, the term dates back to the Mexican War of 1846-48, when American infantrymen made long treks over dusty terrain, giving them the appearance of being covered in flour, or dough. As a variation of this account goes, the men were coated in the dust of adobe soil and as a result were called "adobes," which morphed into "dobies" and, eventually, "doughboys."

And finally, I tried to look up the Switchboard Girls song, but apparently that was also sadly a work of fiction. There should be a song though!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

It’s a porn novel set in Scotland… did not finish.

Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-20-24

We’re both so extremely good looking, how long do you think it’ll be before we sleep together?

At five hours in, I decided to break down and actually read some reviews to figure out where this story was headed. I found the information I needed to go ahead and decide to stop here. While I’m disappointed I won’t get to complete the story, I really don’t need to hear another paragraph about Arianas supple breasts bursting in her wench dress, or Connor’s cock. It’s a porn novel, such a disappointment. I really enjoyed Madeline’s WWII books, “The Last Bookshop in London” and “The Librarian Spy.” They felt tender, heartfelt. They were well researched historical fiction. You felt like you could see it, feel the heartache and fear. And I appreciated that in those books the love stories were chaste. Had I seen the other covers in this series I would have known the genre and not even started the book. But I thought (mistakenly) that I could trust Madeline and so dived into this one after only reading the summary.

From the get go, the author tries hard to let you know Conner is not a pimp, and Ariana is not being whisked away to a brothel, yet the scenario has all the same earmarks. The only difference is these women get trained on how to stab the ones they lead on with their beauty before they get dragged off to bed.

Just be clear on the genre of the novel before you dive in. And, don’t expect good historical fiction either. I felt like I learned nothing about the era… just the usual, oh it’s dank cold castle… and look were in a pub where everyone is intoxicated and staring lewdly at the bar maids. Sigh…

As for the narrator, at first I thought I would enjoy him but the accent is hard to listen to for a long period and after awhile I felt really over it.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent overview of where we’re at…

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-20-24

…and where we need to go!

I found this book through a recommended list provided at the end of the book, “Mending Life.” It’s a fascinating historical overview of how we’ve gotten to the toxic place we are today in industry. It’s written in such a captivating way through numerous stories. I was astounded by the story of the shoe factory, where the leather tanning process is so harmful that workers were inevitably going to get cancer within 20 years, so only people 50 years or older were hired. And I found mind blowing the idea that even if everyone should choose to wear only cotton jeans dyed with natural indigo, there wouldn’t be enough land to grow the cotton, or enough indigo dye for the worlds population.

It’s rather depressing… you just wonder how anyone is alive with all the harmful pollutants and toxic waste, etc. The author looks at the world through an evolution lens, and also a bit of a scarcity mindset. But, taken from a Biblical perspective God wants people to inhabit and care for the earth. And there are more than enough natural resources to go around. But it is up to us to learn how to best utilize what God has created, and this done best through the wisdom He lays out in scripture.

I loved the author’s perspective about “the fitting-est” vs just “survival of the fittest.” And that’s the place we all want to be - we may not be the strongest, but we can learn to adapt and utilize what we’ve been given.

He ends by says that it’s going to take every one of us, forever, to continue to address and find solutions to the problems that have been created. But, it’s an exciting challenge and books like this do give you a lot of hope that there are men and woman working hard to rethink systems and implement good changes that really do make for a better world.

The language in the book is excellent, a treat to listen to and the narrator is great as well.

Favorite Quotes: “We’re all downstream.”

“The fittest survive, the fitting-est thrive. Popular wisdom holds that the fittest survive, the strongest leanest largest perhaps meanest, whatever beats the competition. But in healthy thriving natural systems it is actually the fitting-est who thrive. Fitting-est implies an energetic and material engagement with place, and an interdependent relationship to it.” (Chapter 5)

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Misleading title, it’s a memoire

Overall
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-11-24

I felt like the title and cover summary were very misleading as to what this book was actually about. I was hoping for a Marie Condo start leading to a newly awakened hobbies, crafting and getting out into nature. New habits that led to mindful purchases. Things they she once bought that she now makes at home. Hours spent online shopping replaced with making from scratch, and even taking a step back from the rat race of work - when you spend less you don’t need to work a crazy stressful job.

This is far more a personal memoire. And because she already had a blog following, she was able to write a book. It’s her story of overcoming additions, moving past family trauma and setting personal goals. As a Christian, I can attest to the fact that the meaning and fulfillment she’s seeking is not found in less, it’s found in Christ. What she’s done is very admirable, but I felt like the book didn’t leave you anywhere satisfied. She was hard on herself, and practiced radical self denial - but what replaced the drinking / drugs / spending? It sounds like food and keeping busy with work and travel are what she replaced it with. She never really got to the candle making and gardening… some mentions of getting outside. I think she’s off to a great start figuring out what she doesn’t need, but has a long way to go yet in learning what she does.

As someone who enjoys the things I’ve chosen to mindfully possess, I don’t think there is anything wrong with owning things. Creating beauty is one of the things we’re meant to do, one of the way we emulate our Creator. Every home doesn’t need to look like IKEA and every wardrobe amount to 20 pieces. I was challenged though by her choosing not to shop until she needed something. It has become too much of a mindless past-time in today’s world.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent sequel to The Hiding Place!!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-08-24

Excellent, highly recommended as a sequel to “The Hiding Place.” So many incredible stories. God’s spirit was certainly flowing through Corrie as with the early apostles. I appreciated how raw, how honest she was about her personal short comings and how it was Christ in her that did miracles.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Morrow memoire, demystifying crunchy and be kind!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-02-24

Having watched many of Emily’s videos on Instagram, when I saw she was coming out with a book I knew I wanted to listen to it. I’m not sure what I expected when I began listening. It felt like part memoire, part demystifying what the “crunchy” life means, and then part encouragement to be kind.

It felt like it was directed at someone who is beginning their journey towards a more crunchy lifestyle. For myself I didn’t learn any new information. It was more interesting just listening to her journey. And I enjoyed Jason’s chapter notes too. It’s a fun listen.

I think for myself it would have been more beneficial to have her delve into stories of things she’s tried over the years and how that panned out. I’d like to know more about what she is doing currently towards gardening, making food from scratch, caring for different ferments etc and then too what tradeoffs that entails, what she’s buying in this season of life. Also, I didn’t think the quiz at the end was very helpful. Things like eating locally grown food in season, shopping from local businesses and recycling all make it sound like you have to have lots of money. It’s not about where you are on the crunchy to silky spectrum, but rather what you’re doing within your means to care for the health of your family.

I appreciated the focus on getting outside, and all the things you can do for free! Managing anxiety, grounding, breathing, etc.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A love of nature and some romance!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-19-24

It took me a long time to get into this one. I just don’t find the early parts on childhood very enthralling. Once she had nearly finished high school and was making her own way, it began to get interesting and the last section with romance introduced was enjoyable.

My main critique of GSP’s novels is the virtuous character of the hero or heroine that grows up without care or cultivation. How are they so noble, hardworking, honest and compassionate when these qualities were never shown them, or modelled for them? A mystery indeed!

I think Catherine Comstock’s character would have been a bit more believable if rather than being calculatingly cruel, she was merely absently indifferent. So weighed down with her grief that she didn’t even notice Elnora. She is written as a woman who is just too smart to really have ignored her daughter for so many years. It is wonderful though that she changed. And the scene where she confronts Elva and talks to her about her cancer is very honest, and still shows some humanity and even compassion.

Lovely section on nature and appreciation for God’s wonderful creation.

Disappointed that Phil took brain fever, it made him seem weak. Also, Elnora’s reluctance to accept his proposal, making him wait forever for her answer just felt like the author drawing out the suspension. That didn’t feel true to life at all. But, it made for an interesting plot twist I guess. You felt sorry for both Phil and Hart as they suffered patiently awaiting the decisions of their women.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!