I've never read or listened to anything by Hill before. Like his dad, he created a very imaginative world. The characters were pretty good & had quiteI've never read or listened to anything by Hill before. Like his dad, he created a very imaginative world. The characters were pretty good & had quite a twisty situation to deal with. The acting for the audio production, voices, sound effects, & sound levels were all great. IOW, it had a lot going for it.
Unfortunately, it went on too long. I was really hoping for the end by the beginning of part 5. There wasn't a lot of obvious padding, but most situations could & should have been resolved a lot more efficiently. I just got tired of the roller coaster.
Merged review:
I've never read or listened to anything by Hill before. Like his dad, he created a very imaginative world. The characters were pretty good & had quite a twisty situation to deal with. The acting for the audio production, voices, sound effects, & sound levels were all great. IOW, it had a lot going for it.
Unfortunately, it went on too long. I was really hoping for the end by the beginning of part 5. There wasn't a lot of obvious padding, but most situations could & should have been resolved a lot more efficiently. I just got tired of the roller coaster....more
I remember liking the 1968 movie with Jack Lemmon (Felix) & Walter Mathau (Oscar) a lot & used to watch the 1970 TV show (Tony Randall as Felix, Jack I remember liking the 1968 movie with Jack Lemmon (Felix) & Walter Mathau (Oscar) a lot & used to watch the 1970 TV show (Tony Randall as Felix, Jack Klugman as Oscar) whenever I could. I liked it even better than the movie & it made me watch anything Jack Klugman did after that. When I saw this play by LA Theater Works, I was excited, but it was a bit of a let down. It was funny, but felt dated & overdone somehow. Still, it was easy to picture in my mind & follow the characters. Great point & only 1.5 hours long. Definitely worth listening to....more
This was fun to listen to. Whimsical & used for many references today, it's worth the 30 minutes. I didn't listen to this edition, but this one is freThis was fun to listen to. Whimsical & used for many references today, it's worth the 30 minutes. I didn't listen to this edition, but this one is free. Mine was too since it was from the library. Narrated by Pierre Moreau. I see there is one narrated by Boris Karloff. I'm going to look around & see what others I can find. Definitely recommended!
An absolutely stunning play. This version by LA Theater Works had an all-star cast & was fabulous as an audiobook. Stacy Keach, Richard Dreyfus, MichaAn absolutely stunning play. This version by LA Theater Works had an all-star cast & was fabulous as an audiobook. Stacy Keach, Richard Dreyfus, Michael York, & others brought out the emotion in a clear & convincing fashion. There was no need of a stage & their distinctive voices meant there was no confusion.
It's not just a great answer to McCarthyism & fanaticism in general, but to gossip & social hysteria as well. In their times, the smallest accusation of being a witch, Commie, homosexual, or child molester have all been enough to damn a person in their society & often leads to hysterical reactions including false memories as an article in the Guardian points out. It was a review of Memory and Miscarriages of Justice. You can find it here:
I detest seeing people who are simply accused of a crime being reported on, often with their names & pictures put into social media feeds. Lately, it's been child molesters & those who are found with child pornography. While I'm all for punishing the guilty, an accusation & arrest are a long way from that & even a guilty verdict isn't always right, as this play shows. It's a good reminder that this is a perennial problem.
This was an LA Theater Works edition. They did a really good job capturing the arguments, prejudices, & attitudes with voices that were easily distingThis was an LA Theater Works edition. They did a really good job capturing the arguments, prejudices, & attitudes with voices that were easily distinguished. The story is fantastic, of course. The only issue I had with this was the laugh tracks. Honest, they had laugh tracks! There's not a damn thing funny about any of this. I'm not particularly PC or easily offended by inappropriate laughter, but the laughter jarred me badly. I'm taking 2 stars off for it. Yes, this was a 5 star audiobook without them.
IMO, the best way this has ever been done is in the 1957 movie
with Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon, & George Kennedy. ...more
I don't care much for poetry, but I think that's due to ignorance & trying to read it incorrectly. I thought this might help me along a bit & it did. I don't care much for poetry, but I think that's due to ignorance & trying to read it incorrectly. I thought this might help me along a bit & it did. Lithgow did a great job listing his favorite poets in alphabetical order. I liked that order since it skipped around in history & separated the various styles so none became burdensome. He makes poetry understandable & accessible, even the weirdest like Gloria Stein, although I'll make sure to avoid her work in the future.
One of the things I liked the best was his introduction where he points out some of the forms & places in which poetry appears like song lyrics, limericks, & catch phrases. Some of the poems he reads are very short - one was only 16 words - while others are very long (Spenser's Fairy Queen runs to 18 volumes, IIRC) but he read me just the best bits.
Each poet was introduced with a thumbnail sketch of their lives & times. A couple of short pieces were read by Lithgow or some other fantastic voice & that makes the audiobook the best way to read this, IMO. OTOH, he listed other poems he liked. He often included websites where more of their work could be found, sometimes even free live recordings of the poet reading their own work. For these last items, I suggest buying a print version. I'm buying a used paperback copy for $4 on Abebooks.com. I might reread some of the poems now that he's given me the rhythm.
These poets cover a lot of territory in style. I actually liked & understood the bit of Spenser's Fairy Queen that he read. I had to read part of that in school & it was a trudge. Actually, I was surprised by how many of these poets I knew & used to detest, but no longer do. Those I've liked, I liked even better: Poe, Shakespeare, Longfellow, etc.
A few will never be favorites. Chaucer in the original Middle English was awful in school due to the language barrier as is Robert Burns. You'd think with my Scottish last name I'd be able to or want to understand their language, but I've always found it incomprehensible. (I gave up on Rob Roy for this reason even though I like most of Scott's other work.) I just don't have a good ear for languages.
All in all, it was a grand tour & I think it was really worthwhile. Poets have added a lot to our language especially in allusion & metaphor, so it's good to be able to recognize them. It was nice to know more about them & I was introduced to several I'd never heard of before. Highly recommended....more
As just an audio book, this is excellent. It's short so I'd really like to listen to it again while looking at an illustrated version I have around heAs just an audio book, this is excellent. It's short so I'd really like to listen to it again while looking at an illustrated version I have around here somewhere from my grandfather. Another classic well preserved & given to the public by Librivox. Thanks!!!...more
I'm not sure what to make of this. It's a classic of SF, the origin of the word 'robot' although the idea had been around for quite some time & the 'rI'm not sure what to make of this. It's a classic of SF, the origin of the word 'robot' although the idea had been around for quite some time & the 'robot's are actually not mechanical, but biological androids more like those in "Blade Runner". The story itself oscillates wildly between extremely profound to awful.
On the profound side is the entire idea. Capek encapsulates all our technological striving into one, short play. Overall, it's fantastic. There are also some great quotes: A guilty party is being sought. Such action is a favorite means of consolation in the face of calamity. More can be found here:
On the awful side, we have the action at the end of Act 1 (view spoiler)[ when Helena suddenly marries Domin. (hide spoiler)] It made no sense to me at all. There was no lead in to it, just a weird leap that I had to swallow to continue on. Jarring & ridiculous.
There are also translation issues. This version melds some characters, but I doubt that harmed it much. The Librivox cast did a great job reading this. From the discussion in the Evolution of SF topic about this book, a lot of beautiful phrases & allusions are lost in translation. We're lucky enough to have a someone who speaks the language & has read it in its original form. Oleksandr is also quite fluent in English & an SF fan, so has shed a lot of light on it. Thanks, Oleksandr!
This is a play & would probably be best seen rather than read. I think an audio version is quite an acceptable substitute though, far better than reading it as text. There is no need for scenery & the actors' voices can speak well enough for themselves. The meat of this play is in the overall idea, so even poor translations can't ruin it. I think a good translation or reading our discussion to catch some of the nuances is well worth it, though. Capek was kind of a genius.
Highly recommended to one & all, but it's a must for anyone interested in the evolution of SF....more
I enjoyed reading this back in school after I had read The Iliad & The Odyssey. I haven't read them in years, but still remembered a lot of the names.I enjoyed reading this back in school after I had read The Iliad & The Odyssey. I haven't read them in years, but still remembered a lot of the names. Still, I thought I should read a summary of this first since it is an audio play, complete with the chorus. It was really good & I'm glad that I did read the Wikipedia article first. You can find it here:
The twisty way the gods used men & people used each other makes this fascinating. Glad I listened to it this time. That's far better than reading it....more
Very short, but well done play. While I appreciate not needing to wade through all the description in the original, it was too short with barely a linVery short, but well done play. While I appreciate not needing to wade through all the description in the original, it was too short with barely a line describing each place.
I'm not sure this edition is correctly combined here. This one is ISBN 9781907416743 & took less than an hour to listen to....more
This was a radio drama, a play with Vincent Price & Peter Cushing in the starring roles. A lot of witty repartee between the two that was fun. The oveThis was a radio drama, a play with Vincent Price & Peter Cushing in the starring roles. A lot of witty repartee between the two that was fun. The overall story was interesting, too. Reminded me a bit of The Power. How would we deal with PSI powers? This was limited in a really good way that gave it more suspense. Very well done....more
Henry Ford (Alan Alda), President Harding (David Dukes) and Thomas Edison (Charles Durning) take off on their own & get stuck in the woods together whHenry Ford (Alan Alda), President Harding (David Dukes) and Thomas Edison (Charles Durning) take off on their own & get stuck in the woods together where they take their personalities out for a bit of air. Durning did a great job as a grumpy Edison. Alda was a fantastic Ford with his idealism & fire. Dukes, who I wasn't familiar with, played a wonderfully nice-guy Harding. Very well played, often amusing, but also very timely in the view of politics. They haven't changed much. ...more
LA Theater Works did a fantastic job reading this play. I first read it over 40 years ago. I've reread it several times & seen it done as a play. ThisLA Theater Works did a fantastic job reading this play. I first read it over 40 years ago. I've reread it several times & seen it done as a play. This might have been the best, although I wouldn't recommend it to anyone not already familiar with it since there is no stage direction included, just the lines. So many memorable lines, delivered so well, though!
Truly memorable characters too, especially the villainous ladies. Lady MacBeth's speech asking for the ability to see her nefarious scheme through is truly horrifying. ...That no compunctious visitings of Nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between Th' effect, and hit. Come to my Womans Breasts, And take my Milk for Gall, you murth'ring Ministers, Where-ever, in your sightless substances,...
And, of course, the witches. They cackle over having a pilot's thumb & surely led MacBeth & poor Banquo on to the rocks. Of course, they're second meeting with MacBeth is the most memorable for its prelude: Witch 1: Round about the Caldron go: In the poysond Entrailes throw Toad, that vnder cold stone, Dayes and Nights, ha's thirty one: Sweltred Venom sleeping got, Boyle thou first i'th' charmed pot
All: Double, double, toile and trouble; Fire burne, and Cauldron bubble
Witch 2: Fillet of a Fenny Snake, In the Cauldron boyle and bake: Eye of Newt, and Toe of Frogge, Wooll of Bat, and Tongue of Dogge: Adders Forke, and Blinde-wormes Sting, Lizards legge, and Howlets wing: For a Charme of powrefull trouble, Like a Hell-broth, boyle and bubble
All: Double, double, toyle and trouble, Fire burne, and Cauldron bubble
Witch 3: Scale of Dragon, Tooth of Wolfe, Witches Mummey, Maw, and Gulfe Of the rauin'd salt Sea sharke: Roote of Hemlocke, digg'd i'th' darke: Liuer of Blaspheming Iew, Gall of Goate, and Slippes of Yew, Sliuer'd in the Moones Ecclipse: Nose of Turke, and Tartars lips: Finger of Birth-strangled Babe, Ditch-deliuer'd by a Drab, Make the Grewell thicke, and slab. Adde thereto a Tigers Chawdron, For th' Ingredience of our Cawdron
All: Double, double, toyle and trouble, Fire burne, and Cauldron bubble
Witch 2: Coole it with a Baboones blood, Then the Charme is firme and good.
Enter Hecat, and the other three Witches.
Hecate: O well done: I commend your paines, And every one shall share i'th' gaines: And now about the Cauldron sing Like Elues and Fairies in a Ring, Inchanting all that you put in.
Witch 2: By the pricking of my Thumbes, Something wicked this way comes: Open Lockes, who ever knockes. Enter Macbeth.
Macbeth: How now you secret, black, & midnight Hags? What is't you do? All. A deed without a name
Wow! What a great scene, especially that final line.
The tale of MacBeth is also the first one in my crumbly old copy of Tales of a Grandfather by Walter Scott that was given to me by mine. It's a good story too, but can't hold a candle to the drama of this one....more
Woosh! That's the sound of half the by-play going over my head. If it hadn't been for the laugh track in this play, I wouldn't have realized a lot of Woosh! That's the sound of half the by-play going over my head. If it hadn't been for the laugh track in this play, I wouldn't have realized a lot of it was a joke. For all that, there were some real scorchers. Wilde certainly had a way with words.
Lord Illingworth was a prick, but he was certainly an affable & pleasant dinner companion. (Reminded me a lot of my step-father; a nice guy on short acquaintance, but an absolutely unreliable & selfish bastard over time.) He was definitely the life of the play & had ever so many great lines. His entrance, "It is perfectly monstrous the way people go about, nowadays, saying things against one behind one’s back that are absolutely and entirely true." is a perfect introduction & summation.
There were a lot of other great lines. I'd love to watch this some time with Maggie Smith & casting by Downton Abbey group. This reading was fantastic, but just the voices could be a bit confusing. If anyone knows of a good video presentation, I'd appreciate it. ...more
This is a general fiction play that pits 2 lawyers, married to each other, against each other over the equality of the sexes. Very well done with a loThis is a general fiction play that pits 2 lawyers, married to each other, against each other over the equality of the sexes. Very well done with a lot of humor & a deadly serious, tough call. It's short, only 1.25 hours, & really worth listening to. Highly recommended....more
Not the correct edition (there are over 30 pages of editions to sort through!). Mine is a full cast production by AudioGo. Well done, but the accents Not the correct edition (there are over 30 pages of editions to sort through!). Mine is a full cast production by AudioGo. Well done, but the accents get a bit thick at times - too thick for a modern American. Surprisingly, I knew almost all the old words though.
The other problem I had was distinguishing characters occasionally. Without the visual cues, unnamed actors could confuse me - would have if I didn't know the play pretty well. Still, I like to hear the play better than just read it. I know MacBeth & Hamlet well, but I was thinking of listening to King Lear, as well. I should probably get a copy out so I can keep track as needed.
It's been years since I last read this or saw the play. I always forget 2 things: 1) Just how bawdy Shakespeare can be. I love the nurse! Boys will be boys, but the old nurse tickles me. 2) Just how many everyday quotes are still used from this play, especially the balcony scene. There must be half a dozen from it alone.
The play sags in the middle for me & picks up, but ends with frustration. Just a bit of closer checking! Oh well, it he had, it wouldn't be a tragedy. Anyway, well done. I'm looking forward to listening to a couple more.
I also reviewed the New Folger paperback edition which has the play on the right page & explanations on the left. Fantastic way to first read the plays. I reviewed it here: /review/show......more
This isn't quite the correct edition. I listened to 4 stories, all full cast dramatizations. They were pretty good. Great characters & well read, althThis isn't quite the correct edition. I listened to 4 stories, all full cast dramatizations. They were pretty good. Great characters & well read, although the accents were a bit thick at times. You'd think with a last name like mine I'd be able to decipher a Scot's accent... ;)
The mysteries themselves weren't particularly difficult, but the fun came from the way McLevy managed to overcome the various handicaps to bring criminals to justice - or not. Sometimes the not was even better....more
I listened to a radio play made of this novel. It was pretty well done, although the volume wasn't great at times. Some voices were too low. It's an aI listened to a radio play made of this novel. It was pretty well done, although the volume wasn't great at times. Some voices were too low. It's an amusing series of loops through time, a great scientific discovery harnessed by a Hollywood movie studio. I might be a little generous with 3 stars....more
I've heard about this for years & always meant to get around to reading it. This is a reason that high school kids hate 'classics'. According to the WI've heard about this for years & always meant to get around to reading it. This is a reason that high school kids hate 'classics'. According to the Wikipedia article, this absurdist play was voted "the most significant English language play of the 20th century". There are an incredible amount of different interpretations & articles about this. It's an amazing body of bullshit - proof that people, especially critics, are so bored (or have such a fierce case of cranial-rectal inversion) that they bother to try to find any significance at all. Of course they can argue about it. It's so pointless that almost any interpretations will fit depending on how much mental masturbation one feels like performing.
Here's the Wikipedia article:
I was building a toy for my grandson during the 1.5 hours I spent listening to this, so the time wasn't wasted. ...more
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