Wonderful, complicated love

If you could sum up Ripples Through Time in three words, what would they be?

Poignant. Reflective. Satisfying.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ripples Through Time?

Definitely the funeral.

What about Don Foote’s performance did you like?

The tone and timbre of his voice was perfect for a book about a 79 year old but his skill kept the narration fresh.

If you could take any character from Ripples Through Time out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Bethany - she's a straight shooter and compassionate.

Any additional comments?

Ripples Through Time is an exquisite, thoughtful examination of life, love and the mosaic of memories that make us who we are. I loved this book because it kept unfolding in meaning and substance as it went along, which is why literary fiction is so rewarding. Calvin is not a simple man, nor is the life he shared with his late wife Millie or the relationship he has with his grown children. But there is depth there and complex joy and a strength that made this book a winner for me. I guarantee you will find yourself pausing every now and then because something you've read has triggered a memory and if you're like me you'll also find yourself picking up the phone to make sure that the people in your life know how much you really love them. Excellent book!

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3 people found this helpful

Well-written book about the complexities of life

This was an interesting book, and though the subject is a bit dark, I find it very relatable. The struggles of the characters are all very real. What I find of particular interest is that the novel centers around an 83-year-old male, Calvin, grieving the loss of his wife and ready to end his life. I don't think there are that many novels out there that deal with aging, so that in itself makes it a unique story. I thought the characters were interesting, and it was interesting to see their stories as they reminisced. I listened to the Audible audio book narrated by Don Foote, and I enjoyed his narration. I thought he gave fitting voices to each of the characters and his pacing was good. Overall, its an interesting novel, perfect for fans of books about the complexities of life.

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Sweet Love Story

What did you love best about Ripples Through Time?

I enjoyed how it slowly unravelled the story of Calvin and Emily's life through stories of their lives told by several different people

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ripples Through Time?

One of the most memorable moments of the book was the funeral.

Have you listened to any of Don Foote’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first Don Foote narration I've listened to

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Well done

Thank you Mr. Foote. Very enjoyable to listen to. I'm recommending it to my friends.

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1 person found this helpful

Ripples Through Time

Any additional comments?

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

This was an emotional rollercoaster of a novel. It really made you feel alongside the main character, who is depressed and lonely after the loss of his wife. Through looking back over his life, via reminiscences, the intricacies of relationships and connections and actions and life are explored and explained. I thought this book was beautiful.

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Wonderful

Calvin's wife dies and he is totally alone after all these years. His friend tries to help him, before he does the unthinkable , can he help before it's too late. A story that could be real, and keeps you hoping that everything will be okay at the end. A couldn't put down, type of story

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3 people found this helpful

Excellent Reading Brings the Story to Life!

Would you consider the audio edition of Ripples Through Time to be better than the print version?

It isn't better, but it also isn't worse. It is simply different because everything sounds different when read aloud than when a reader is picturing the world in their head. Both versions are fantastic!

What other book might you compare Ripples Through Time to and why?

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks is something similar. They both have a unique style and use a lot of different perspectives to tell the story.

What about Don Foote’s performance did you like?

He does an excellent job of enunciating the important moments in the scenes, and it is clear he is getting more comfortable with the story as it progresses.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Can we go on after losing the one we love most?

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A story about human relationships

Any additional comments?

I was offered a copy of this book in audio format at no cost in exchange for an honest review.

Calvin's wife passed away one week ago, and now, at 82 years old, Calvin does not want to continue with his life. He receives the visit of Edward, his son in law's brother, who will try to convince him that there are enough reasons to go on. This is the story of four generations in a family, a story about human beings, but especially a story about human relationships. It is a story of despair, hope, regret, and love.

The structure of this book is composed by the main storyline where Edward is visiting Calvin, interrupted by several flashbacks which will tell us the story of Calvin's family. The family in this book, like any real family, is far from perfect, with their ups and downs, and this is what makes it real. What I loved from this book is how real the characters and their relationships feel. After a while it is like listening to a story about your own family, and that makes you care about them. Lincoln Cole has created characters that are alive, with believable actions and dialogs. Creating a story with so many characters is not easy, but making them alive and make a moving story is something on a different level, and Cole has created a masterpiece.

There was something that felt a bit strange but it could have been intended. The main story is narrated in first person, while the flashbacks are narrated in third person. The thing I found strange is that the beginning of the book is narrated from the point of view of Calvin, while the end is narrated from the point of view of Edward. I am not sure when this change took place, but if just felt a bit weird, although it could have been justified due to how the events took place.

Don Foote did a wonderful job narrating this story, and he did not only become Calvin, but also all the other characters in this book, and he has a wide range of voices to make you forget that you are listening to just one person. I am looking forward to listening to more books narrated by him.

I absolutely loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone who would like to listen to a good story written in a beautiful manner. This is one of those books that will stay with you for a very long time.

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3 people found this helpful

Poignant look back on a man's family life

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Calvin Greenwood has just buried his beloved wife and has decided he cannot live without her. But before taking his own life, he makes a final farewell phone call to one of his children. Sadly, she doesn't recognize the message he leaves for her for the suicide note that it is and instead sends son-in-law Edward White to check on Calvin. As Edward tries to convince Calvin he still has much living yet to do, Calvin reminisces about his life and the mistakes he has made. As Calvin delves into his memories, Lincoln Cole weaves in vignettes from the perspective of Calvin's friends and family members in a clever device that allows us to learn about how others see Calvin and the impact his decisions and mistakes have had on their lives. The emotions Cole taps into are raw and authentic as he takes an unflinching look at how difficult topics such as addiction, poverty, and the repression of and prejudice against homosexuality can tear apart a family. The performance of the audiobook was good, but while his narration of the sections written from the males' perspectives were adequate, the voice used for female POV was so breathy and strained as to be distracting. Overall, the poignant and beautiful kinship Calvin and Edward share during this crisis makes for an excellent story that readers shouldn't miss.

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Interesting

If you’ve listened to books by Lincoln Cole before, how does this one compare?

Have never listened to other Cole books.

Which character – as performed by Don Foote – was your favorite?

My favorite character was Emily - she was a strong woman who influenced many lives over generations. My next favorite character was Kelvin - he had a quiet integrity shown over the years.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Not sure I see this as movie potential. There is very little action, just lots of insight into families and relationships.

Any additional comments?

While this was an interesting way to explore people within a family and how their interactions have impacted others, I disliked the "soapbox" moments (homosexuality, euthanasia, etc.) and some incidences of "adult language." The narration/voices were well done.

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