Audiobook – All Over but the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg
>> Friday, April 10, 2009
Genre: Memoir
Publication Date: 1997
Read by: Frank Muller
I’m not a huge memoir fan, but I really liked this one. Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Rick Bragg tells his story of growing up dirt poor in rural Alabama. It’s part memoir, part loving tribute to his mother, who raised her 3 sons pretty much on her own after their alcoholic father left them one too many times.
Bragg describes himself as a storyteller and he tells this one wonderfully. The images and feelings are vivid. I liked many things about this book. He was honest about his own failings including the chip he still carries on his shoulder. His disintegrated relationship with his father is balanced by the tremendous respect and love he has for his mother and that he gives her a lot of credit for making his successes possible. I was also impressed with the way he respects and admires his older brother who took a very different path in life than Bragg himself did. I think many families have someone like his younger brother and the combined hope and frustration in watching someone you love struggle is clear.
I would definitely recommend this book, but after listening to it, I’d recommend the 3-D version rather than this particular audio version. While I liked the book a lot, I had to get past the reader to enjoy it. Something about his voice didn’t seem quite right (maybe he sounded too old to be reading as Bragg) and that combined with his breathy delivery just didn’t work for me. So read it, don’t listen to it.
Publication Date: 1997
Read by: Frank Muller
I’m not a huge memoir fan, but I really liked this one. Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Rick Bragg tells his story of growing up dirt poor in rural Alabama. It’s part memoir, part loving tribute to his mother, who raised her 3 sons pretty much on her own after their alcoholic father left them one too many times.
Bragg describes himself as a storyteller and he tells this one wonderfully. The images and feelings are vivid. I liked many things about this book. He was honest about his own failings including the chip he still carries on his shoulder. His disintegrated relationship with his father is balanced by the tremendous respect and love he has for his mother and that he gives her a lot of credit for making his successes possible. I was also impressed with the way he respects and admires his older brother who took a very different path in life than Bragg himself did. I think many families have someone like his younger brother and the combined hope and frustration in watching someone you love struggle is clear.
I would definitely recommend this book, but after listening to it, I’d recommend the 3-D version rather than this particular audio version. While I liked the book a lot, I had to get past the reader to enjoy it. Something about his voice didn’t seem quite right (maybe he sounded too old to be reading as Bragg) and that combined with his breathy delivery just didn’t work for me. So read it, don’t listen to it.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
3 comments:
Rick Bragg should read his own audio book. I saw him on CSPAN Books speaking to a group about this book and he was a wonderful. This is one of my favorite memoirs and it is the genre I enjoy most - so for me, that is saying something. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
This is one of my all-time favorite books. I saw him on CSPAN, too, and he is such a funny, entertaining gentleman. Another reason to read the printed book rather than listen to the audio version is it's easier to highlight or mark your favorite passages - and there are so many!
Bumbles: I really wish he'd read it. I still really enjoyed the book, though.
Les: I'm glad I finally got to it. It's definitely good, and I'll be recommending the printed version.
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