tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572064977830046524.post5452503619762799284..comments2023-10-14T18:20:18.845-07:00Comments on Booklady's Booknotes: The Postcard by Tony AbbottBookladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10083821352830737883noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572064977830046524.post-74579069426587534452008-11-03T03:52:00.000-08:002008-11-03T03:52:00.000-08:00Hi. I always try to keep track of reactions to my ...Hi. I always try to keep track of reactions to my books, and I was interested to read your review. Everyone has their own reactions, and yours is quite as valid as that of anyone else; of course. Permit me to say two things, however. Listening to the book is absolutely not the same as reading it on the page, especially in the case of The Postcard. To my mind the performance, while well done, is far too slow and drawn out. I could not imagine how difficult it would be to keep track of the many, many characters, over that many chapters and two distinct timelines, as well as the two different voices. Much happens in the eye-brain reaction of the reader that simply doesn't when you listen, and we probably shouldn't confuse the two ways of entering a story. It was meant to be read, not listened to. Secondly, reading reviews prior to purchasing a book is pervasive but fraught with danger. The review you read was particularly dishonest and insulting, penned by a poor critical mind, as, no doubt many reviews are. Enough said about that. Normally, one doesn't respond to reviews, even ultimately kind ones like yours. Nor do I for an instant wish to discredit yours in any way; I more wanted to note that the direction you came to the book was through a couple of layers of distance that ideally the writer doesn't want there. Thanks, finally, for bringing the book into your library and for making it available to your students. Press on with your good work. <BR/>Tony AbbottAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com