A compelling story, but an awful reader

Would you listen to My Notorious Life again? Why?

I wouldn't listen to this again, because I couldn't stand the reader. Which is annoying, because the story was excellent.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Notorious Life?

The descriptions of the lives of women of the time, especially lower class women, were excellent. And the medical care they received was stomach turning.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The story already has a melodramatic feel, and she takes it about three steps too far. Her voice becomes grating, and getting through the story took effort.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

This book will put you in the worst mood ever!!!

Would you try another book from Kate Manning and/or Terry Donnelly?

I wouldn't read another book by Kate Manning as I just hated this one. Terry Donnelly's voice was good for this book's story but I'm not sure I'd like to listen to it again.

What do you think your next listen will be?

not sure. something more uplifting

What about Terry Donnelly’s performance did you like?

It was perfect for the character who "was down and out."

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger, sadness, fury, disgust

Any additional comments?

While I knew a bit about the subject matter of this book, it wasn't a book I picked out to read as it was a book club book. The subject matter is difficult, hard to listen to, and downright horrible. I will invest more time and attention before I order another book.

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Axie's quest

What did you love best about My Notorious Life?

I loved the topic of the book. At times I thought I would turn if off, and stop listening, but it was so intriguing that after a few minutes I would turn it right back on. I also liked the characters, the time period depiction, and the historical undertones.

What other book might you compare My Notorious Life to and why?

Maybe some of Diana Gabaldon's books, similarly there were many parts in her series addressing women's lives in different times of the past, childbirth, daily struggles, stuff like that.

Have you listened to any of Terry Donnelly’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never listened to Terry Donnelly before, but she is awesome! She did a good job with the period's English (as much as I can tell), and the various characters' voices. I loved the way she did Axie's friend, Greta's voice, who is a German immigrant. I would listen to more audiobooks narrated by Terry Donnelly.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book. At times I couldn't believe how little has changed in the leading topic of the book, namely women's rights regarding abortion. It was riveting and also scary. The main character was great, I really liked her, and ultimately the end of the story was good. I was grateful for this, because from the beginning the story just had this black cloud over it. You'll know what I mean when you listen to it! I think this book would be a terrific choice for a book club.

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Grating

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Main character could have been less utterly obnoxious.

How could the performance have been better?

It could have been performed by someone else. Unrelenting wavering voice of angst, and for goodness sake what accent was she going for?

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Worth a listen - the narrator is talented

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this audiobook for the talent of the narrator. She effects accents and emotions skilfully.

Any additional comments?

This was a random pick, the details of which I do not recall. However, how coincidental that I chose to read this book so recently after finishing the Orphan Train! This is another fictional account of an orphan train girl who, though not initially an orphan, becomes one eventually. Fortunately, her mother dies in the house of a midwife, and she asked the kind woman to take care of her daughter. The interesting twist about this book (and, I assume, the hook that got me to get it) was that this is based on the journals of a woman who lived in the mid 1800s and practiced midwifery. She was notorious because she also practiced contraception and abortion. The similarities between this book and The Orphan Train were clear: orphans on the orphan train forged close, life-long bonds due to their precarious plights. In both, orphans reunite and marry. In this one, though, the orphan train is a mere detail in a colorful, passionate life well-lived. I recommend this as a fairly enthralling beach read.

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Good story, narrator not great

I had a hard time getting into this audiobook because of the narrator. Her shrill voice irritated me throughout however it was a captivating story and I eagerly listened to the end.

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Awful reader

Loved the book!! HATED The reader. Try a sample first!! I don't think I would have listened if I tried a sample first.

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Narrator drives me nuts

The story seems fine, but I can't get past the narrator. She uses the same inflection for every single sentence. That is, she sounds resentful and angry, regardless of context. A reader who varies her expression according to the story might use such a voice to actually sound ominous. I realize the character was angry and scared for the first part of the story (I never got past that part,) but a bit of variation would have made this story bearable for me.

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Narrator gave me false hopes

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I liked the narrator but the middle third, as others pointed out, was pretty tedious. No big surprises, actually fairly predictable.

Would you be willing to try another book from Kate Manning? Why or why not?

I don't think so.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

A must read for 2023

This gorgeously written historical novel shines a light on an midwife and the horrors she went through to help others. Based on a real person- everyone should listen to this