Enjoyable, intriguing short story collection

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

For those who like short stories yes. Other reviewers complained about this collection being "thin" and that not enough stories. Well, this is not meant to be "War & Peace" (big fat novel). I find myself satiated with this collection & looking forward to more. I've always liked anthologies though I realize it's not for everyone.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The two former "consultants" who met up in a Paris cafe after years of being "together". A taste of secrecy, spies, intrigue yet such humane exposure of two human beings.

Find out for yourself. I don't wanna spoil it.

Which scene was your favorite?

The farm wedding (hehehe), laughed so hard! So tell-it-like-it-is REAL. Moore's storytelling is so good I can visualize the whole enchilada! The voices, wedding dresses (love the color descriptions), the ex-father-in-law's lust, the "entertainment" and chaos from unexpected snafu...hilarious.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when the woman in the Paris cafe wondered if she should pronounce the two S's in "couscous". Is it just couscoooo since there's no letter after the 2nd "s"?

Made me realize how silly it is when I worry about this kind of thing too. Made me have empathy for the character (key trait of good storyteller).

Any additional comments?

Well done Lorrie Moore! I dig even all the double entendres, alliterations, puns e.g. the title "Bark" and 1st story "Debarked". Debarked means so many things to me (a dog nut), it means one's unique voice has been taken away, like a cat declawed, a bull that's neutered - fundamentally altered.

This collection of short stories is NOT "thin". I find them rich, full spectrum and engaging. I look forward to more stories from Ms. Moore.

6 persone l'hanno trovata utile

When humor is more than endearing

Personally I find short stories quite hard to listen to... as writers put painstaking attention to each word, sentence and paragraph; my attention seems to bereaved me from their beauty. In the case of ‘Bark’, Moore’s words have such a rhythm and a contextual charm that I enjoyed the first time I listen to it as much as the second time where I minded her artful language choices with chuckles and admiration.

5 persone l'hanno trovata utile

so disappointing

this got good reviews and kept appearing as something I'd like. well, the algorithm was completely off base this time. whiny, awkward, pointless stories. I'll never read this author again.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Depressing, and THIS author should NEVER read out loud to others!

Not sure if the stories would be better if read by someone who knows how to show emotion while reading, as well as change voices for each character. The author reading these stories sounded extremely depressing / monotone and was very hard to listen to. Males and females of any ages sounded the same. Don’t think I will listen to anything else this author has unless it is read by someone else.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

All the Moore so

Lorrie Moore's works are mined with so many moments of recognition that I find myself quite unproductive while listening. Wonderful when the author herself is narrating.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

too depressing for me

I gave up part way through the second chapter. Just not my thing. Very expressive but too much of a downer.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Terrible reader!

These MIGHT be less tedious if Moore were not the reader, but her depressive languished self-pitying drone is unbearable.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Leave the reading to the professionals

What did you like best about Bark? What did you like least?

It is well written and touches on the complexities of human relationships

How could the performance have been better?

This is the third book I have listened to read by the author and other than Patti Smith who is a brillant performer and amazing to listen to, the other authors are really bad readers. Lorrie Moore's voice is monotone, she has strange phrasing and she does not distinguish different characters with different voices so I never knew who I was listening to. All in all it was frustrating listening to her read. I have a much richer listening experience when the book is read by seasoned professionals. Authors I think, are too personally attached to their material and cannot read it effectively.

Could you see Bark being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

no

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Lorrie Moore's Bark

The author did herself a disservice by reading this book herself. Her voice is full of ennui and not rarely seems unfamiliar with the material! Odd.... I liked the last story the best and also the one set in the Paris cafe. The others are at best semi-depressing and all the more for Moore's reading them.

Brutal, funny and surprising

Interesting characters, rich language, and strangely brave plots. She really captures slices of life with intense emotional meaning, making humans seem both pathetic and beautiful. Loved the author’s own voice for these stories.