UPDATE: I just listened to the audiobook of A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar. It is narrated by Susan Duerden and it is just awful. Susan Duerden manages to over pronounce every single word. Every. Single. Syllable. And she manages to sound pretentious and uncertain at the same time, like every sentence she says is an implied question to a house servant. It's awful. Just painful. DEFINITELY STICK WITH THE BOOK!!!
Disclaimer: I received the audio file of this title free from Edelweiss for review purposes. I was not obliged to write a favourable review--obviously. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Here's my review of the actual book (which I published on June 16, 2012):
Suzanne Joinson's debut novel follows the misadventures of three female missionaries in 1923 along the Silk Road of China, near Kashgar (which I totally knew about and didn't have to look up on a map...twice). They are presumably meant to ride their bikes around, converting everyone to Christianity and spreading the civilizing influence of English Christian ladies everywhere. None of that seems to happen, though one of the ladies in question is only there so she can write a book called A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar. Cut to modern day London, where a woman helps a homeless man on her doorstep, only to find herself unravelling a mystery she hadn't bargained on, including why she's been named next of kin to a recently deceased woman who has left her a house full of junk (and an owl!). Both stories are fascinating and compelling, leaving the reader guessing how they will eventually intersect. My only criticism is that it takes a long time for the connection to actually be explained (I guessed part of it, but was still impatient at having to wait so long) and when it is, it's a bit anticlimactic. A bit more information at the end would have made a more satisfying overall read.
On an unrelated note, it's also the second book in a row I've read about cycling (the other was Chris Cleave's Gold, which couldn't have been more different). I guess in the spirit of full disclosure I should reveal my shameful secret. Here goes:
Okay, here goes.
Disclaimer: I received the audio file of this title free from Edelweiss for review purposes. I was not obliged to write a favourable review--obviously. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Here's my review of the actual book (which I published on June 16, 2012):
Suzanne Joinson's debut novel follows the misadventures of three female missionaries in 1923 along the Silk Road of China, near Kashgar (which I totally knew about and didn't have to look up on a map...twice). They are presumably meant to ride their bikes around, converting everyone to Christianity and spreading the civilizing influence of English Christian ladies everywhere. None of that seems to happen, though one of the ladies in question is only there so she can write a book called A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar. Cut to modern day London, where a woman helps a homeless man on her doorstep, only to find herself unravelling a mystery she hadn't bargained on, including why she's been named next of kin to a recently deceased woman who has left her a house full of junk (and an owl!). Both stories are fascinating and compelling, leaving the reader guessing how they will eventually intersect. My only criticism is that it takes a long time for the connection to actually be explained (I guessed part of it, but was still impatient at having to wait so long) and when it is, it's a bit anticlimactic. A bit more information at the end would have made a more satisfying overall read.
On an unrelated note, it's also the second book in a row I've read about cycling (the other was Chris Cleave's Gold, which couldn't have been more different). I guess in the spirit of full disclosure I should reveal my shameful secret. Here goes:
Okay, here goes.
I do not know how to ride a bike.
*sniff* It's true. I never learned. It's not like I used to know and then forgot (I heard that's impossible). I just never learned. I hope this doesn't affect the way you think of me or my reviews (especially those about bicycles).
Disclaimer: I received a digital galley of this book free from the publisher from NetGalley.com. I was not obliged to write a favourable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Got a review of this book? Or a tip on how to learn to ride a bike? Leave a comment!
I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteHave to say, though, I bought this the other day and loved it. I have listened to other books narrated by Susan Duerdan, which is why I got it. I loved the characters, thought they were really well voiced and acted. I could listen to her all day long. Sorry! Normally I agree with you!
Oh thank-you so much! And thanks for taking the time to comment. See, it just goes to show that if there's anything more subjective than reactions to books, it's reactions to audiobooks. Thanks for the feedback!
DeleteOh, lordy. I just took this out of the library and after 15 minutes wanted to put a bullet through my head. The narration is AWFUL. Duerdan's singsongy voice reads every sentence (except those spoken by characters) with the exact same quiet inflection. Going back to the library immediately. Too bad, because I liked the story straight away but will need to find time to read it in a real book. This was the absolute worst audio book reading I have ever heard. I just needed to vent somewhere!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? When I first put on the audiobook she was reading a poem (the epigraph) so I thought, "Oh okay, that's her 'poetry reading voice.'" But then everything she said was like that! I was glad I had already read the book because I could just turn the audiobook off after a couple of chapters and not feel like I was missing out on the story.
DeleteBut it's a real shame, because the proper narration could have really brought that story to life, especially with so many characters from different time periods to keep track of.
Then again, as you can see from previous comments, some listeners really loved Susan Duerden, so I guess it's very subjective!