Spring arrived at 5:30 am in Chicago. Days are longer, birds are singing, and trees are beginning to bud. I’m happy to be rid of winter.
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A Rapid Review
Eleanor by Jason Gurley
Publisher: Random House Audio | January 2016
Format: Audio Download | 13 hours | Rating: 3 stars
Audio Listening Level: Intermdiate Genre: Fantasy
Eleanor and Esmerelda are identical twins with a secret language all their own, inseparable until a terrible accident claims Esme’s life. Eleanor’s family is left in tatters: her mother retreats inward, seeking comfort in bottles; her father reluctantly abandons ship. Eleanor is forced to grow up more quickly than a child should, and becomes the target of her mother’s growing rage.
Eleanor repeatedly visits alternate universes where she experiences different outcomes in her mostly tragic life. I found the story to be sad, almost depressing. At the same time, it was beautifully written; a very dreamlike, haunting tale.
It was not at all what I was expecting. The first half was good, but as the story progressed the plot became more convoluted and difficult to follow. An additional problem for me was that I didn’t like most of the characters. And poor Eleanor — her entire life was one tragic event after another as we went through many ‘what-ifs’.
As I’ve said before, fantasy can be hit or miss with me, and this one missed. I’m glad I stuck it out to the end, though, because the story does wrap up and the reader finally understands what’s happening. I’m probably in the minority here as I’ve seen many glowing reviews, so if you enjoy magical realism or fantasy, give this a try.
Audio production
The book was beautifully read by Cassandra Campbell, and probably the reason I was able to continue to the end even though I was losing interest in the story. Her narration conveyed the dreamlike, haunting atmosphere that prevailed throughout the story.
Audio Sample
[Audio Sample on SoundCloud.]
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Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
© 2016 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Almost wordless: A blue sky and fluffy white clouds always put me in a happy mood.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2016 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Welcome to Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia of To Be Continued, a place where readers share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.
After several years of being on tour with different blogs as the monthly host, the Mailbox Monday Blog is now the permanent home for the meme.
Nothing in my physical mailbox last week, although I did receive a few audio downloads . . .
Audio Downloads
Thursday’s Children by Nicci French from Penguin Audio.
The electrifying fourth book in the internationally bestselling Frieda Klein Mystery series. Frieda faces her most personal case yet when a former classmate appears at Frieda’s door, begging for her help.
The Never-Open Desert Diner by James Anderson from Random House Audio.
A singularly compelling debut novel, about a desert where people go to escape their past, and a truck driver who finds himself at risk when he falls in love with a mysterious woman.
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© 2016 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Almost wordless: Until I scanned the edge of the pond with my binoculars, I didn’t notice Mr. and Mrs. Mallard relaxing along the edge.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2016 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Advertisements appearing on this site are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed or approved by me.
Welcome to Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia of To Be Continued, a place where readers share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.
After several years of being on tour with different blogs as the monthly host, the Mailbox Monday Blog is now the permanent home for the meme.
Spring is in the air. It’s so nice to hear birds singing and chirping again, and yesterday I saw a few backyard sparrows carrying nesting material. Even my indoor pet birds know its spring. This morning Jentrie, my Senegal, work me up at 6:30 with his whistling. Who needs an alarm clock!
Nothing in my physical mailbox last week, although I did receive a few digital downloads. . .
New Arrivals
Beaks, Bones, and Bird Songs: How the Struggle for Survival Has Shaped Birds and Their Behavior by Roger Lederer from Timber Press.
Beaks, Bones, and Bird Songs guides the reader through the myriad, and often almost miraculous, things that birds do every day to merely stay alive.
At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier from Penguin Audio.
From internationally bestselling author Tracy Chevalier, a riveting drama of a pioneer family on the American frontier.
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© 2016 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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A Rapid Review
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
Publisher: Random House Audio | February 2016
Format: Audio Download | 5¼ hours | Rating: 3 stars
Translated from the Korean by Deborah Smith.
Audio Listening Level: Easy – Intermediate
A disturbing, yet beautifully composed narrative told in three parts, The Vegetarian is an allegorical novel about modern day South Korea, but also a story of obsession, choice, and our faltering attempts to understand others, from one imprisoned body to another.
After experiencing a disturbing nightmare, Yeong-hye makes the decision to stop eating meat. Her husband, her parents, and the rest of her family do not approve and wand her to resume a normal diet. They think she has gone mad and relentlessly harass and threaten her.
The story of The Vegetarian (actually she is vegan, but something may have been lost in the translation) is told in three parts, from three different points of view – more accurately three interconnected stories. I liked the first part which was told from the husband’s point of view. Despite not liking him one bit, I found it interesting and engaging.
The story got a little strange when we switched voices to Yeong-hye’s brother-in-law in part two, and confusing when we switched again in part three. This is a short book, and to discuss the what happens and who narrates would be too spoiler-y. All I’ll say is that by the end of the book, I no longer liked or cared about any of the characters; ultimately, I found them and their actions upsetting and disturbing. I thought I would like it because it was described as “psychologically twisted”, a genre I usually enjoy.
While this novel wasn’t for me, it would make for lively discussion as a book club pick.
Audio production:
Read by Janet Song and Stephen Park.
Stephen Park’s smooth delivery and soothing tones made this an easy listen. Janet Song’s voice for Yeong-hye captured the flat, even tone of a woman heading toward confusion and madness.
Audio Sample:
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Source: Review copy provided by Random House Audio.
© 2016 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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