Material good - quality, not-so-much

Get through part 1 (it can move slowly and makes you wonder if you've downloaded the right book based upon publishers comments), and get ready to enjoy a much more engaging story once the women exchange homes.

The narrator is very good, but the quality of the recording is quite disappointing. I didn't, by the way, pick this up in the sample provided. Volume and sound quality can change drastically from one chapter to another, and at times the sound of other people (readers??) in the background is extremely distracting. This seems to be worse in some chapters than others, and particularly noticeable in part 2. I should note that I finally found an excellent pair of ear buds, which may contribute to my irritation concerning quality issues.

I wish Audible would consider establishing an area relating to quality where you could see if there have been comments, both negative and positive about recording studios/production companies before choosing a book to download. Come to think of it, I'm not sure the name of the production company is listed in the catalogue, which leads me to the obvious recommendation that if it isn't included in the book description, it should be.

I'm happy I read the book; the story is hard to put down (as in unplug the ear buds) - particularly once you hit part 2. Put it this way: if the material wasn't good enough to hold my attention solidly, I would have abandoned ship somewhere in part 1 due to quality and consistency of the actual recording. I wonder if the author gets to listen to and approve a recording before it is published?

48 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Loved It

Engaging and a real "trip" through Dublin. Maeve is a master storyteller. Well worth your time!

19 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

The Audio is fixed.

Any additional comments?

Many previous posts comment on the poor audio quality of this recording. THe problem has been fixed, and the book is a phenomenal listen.

17 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Good Story, poor recording

The poor quality of the recording of this book was very distracting. It is to Ms Binchy's credit that I completed the tale given the uneven sound quality and continual background noises as if the reader were in a large room with many other readers doing their thing at the same time.

A shame really, as it was a good read.

16 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A Solid Terrific Read

This story has it all/ love, romance, betrayal, death, friendship (loyal and otherwise), children, travel, house and home, organized crime, addiction, men's and women's issues, power, control and abuse. It is all about messy life. I loved it, every bit of it. A truly great listen, so sad when it ended, I was so invested in these people and their lives. ENJOY!

22 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Great Story - Terrible Recording

I found myself in love with the story but always fussing with my ipod to turn up the volume and down other times on different chapters. I now know what everyone else was speaking of when I read the reviews, you can hear people in the background recording. I am amazed that audible allows this poor quality recording on their website, a big disappointment. I honestly loved the story and wished it could of been heard with better quality.

32 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Very Enjoyable!

This book was right up there with "The Secret Life of Bees". Extremely enjoyable and I had a hard time turning it off and was anxious to get back to it. The narrator was awesome with her Irish accent and brought Ria and all the characters to life...especially entertaining was Ria's son Bryan......you won't be disappointed!

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

a lovely story

I selected this book because it was on Oprah's list. At first I was surprised that it was an Oprah pick because it seemed to lack the intellect of her other selections.

Soon I was soothed by the author's words, lulled by the narrator's voice and rooting for our main characters.

Although not brain surgery, I realized that the intellect was buried in the author's ability to tell a story.

It was a lovely way to spend my commute.

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Wonderful story

Ms. Binchey is sneaky. She begins telling this story including you in all the little details of Ria Lynch's life. At times you want her to get to the point, but then, when disaster hits Ria's life, you begin to understand why Ms. Binchey wrote the way she did. Your heart ache's for Ria and the hurt she is feeling. I realized I was completely sucked into this story caring about all the characters as if they were real. This book is a treat and I loved every minute of it. My only criticism is the sound quality. Another reviewer said it sounded like others were in the same room as the narrator reading stories as well. I agree. It was distracting at times, but the story is so beautifully written, it is easily forgivable.

13 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

the best

This is the best audiobook I've listened to all year. Though intimidated by its 18 hr length, I raced through it in just 2 weeks. I'll miss these characters like I miss old friends. Highly recommended. Another of Maeve Binchy's fine works.

9 personnes ont trouvé cela utile