HILL TOWNS (Abridged) Audiobook

" The older I get, the less tolerance I have for the overblown prose that Siddons sometimes gets caught up in while describing her characters. This one was definitely NOT among her best efforts; if you want to read vintage Siddons, I much preferred Colony. On the other hand, I must admit that if you would like to read some beautiful descriptions of Rome, Venice, Florence and Siena, it's clear that Siddons has not only visited these places, but has a true appreciation for them. For that, I'll give Hill Towns three stars. "

" A bit more sensual than I expected. Not bad, but more discussion of sex than I expected! "

" I found this story very tedious and depressing. "

" This book is infamous for being dropped in the tub (and borrowed from the UD library). Ended up having to pay for damages. "

" Had a switch ending I didn't see coming. "

" I found myself speaking outloud to the characters (i.e. "Don't do it, Cat!") which means that the plot is certainly strong enough for me to really get into it. However, I too, was very unimpressed the language. There simply was no need for the foul words that Siddons appeared to enjoy throwing in seemingly on a whim. Also, I believe that I have a pretty broad vocabulary, but Siddons really stretched the limits of every day speech in this book! Words such as "fecundity", "scurrilious", "ennui", etc. There were MANY words in this book that I had to actually look up because I either hadn't heard them used in years or I wasn't familiar with them at all! It was almost like a course in College Vocab! Bottom line: Good read, poor choice of words! "

" Siddons puts you in Italy, which is wonderful. When the main character rounds a bend and comes upon a vista of sunflowers, as far and wide as the eye can see, you're there with her. The darker sides of her characters left me uneasy, but the armchair trip to Italy was great. "

" This was the first of Anne Rivers Siddons' books I read. It helped me to believe that I could find my voice in writing someday. She inspired me to write and write with my own sweet language, to tell stories of women and the lives they lead. "

" Through much of the book I felt that I was reading a travelogue rather than a novel, and I often felt irritated with the main characters rather than identifying with them. "

" I've read this book many times and will read it yet again. "

" I am not impressed with this book at all. Too much unnecessary bad lanquage. These people are supposed to be professors, etc. and the language they use sounds like gutter talk. Didn't even finish it "

" Did not like the unbelievable, slow story, and thought the author was too impressed with her own vocabulary. "

" Not the most favorite of her books - and I have read them ALL! "

" she can paint a picture and really captures the angst of a relationship betrayed. "

" If you've never read any of Siddons books, skip this one and read one of her low-country books. They're much better. This missed the mark. "

" Well read, but very racy. Not recommended by me. The more I read the worse it got. "

" This was the book that inspired Valerie and me to travel to Italy!!! The first Siddons book I read! LOVED it! I recommend it to anyone that is planning to visit Tuscany, or Italy in general. "

" Hills Towns was an enjoyable read. The book started in Tennessee and ended in Italy. Everyone seemed to change in Italy, and most of the characters would never be the same again. It has beautiful settings and vivid characters. "

" I love Siddons way of seeing in to family dynamics "

" I went to Italy right after I read this! It was among my top three favourite books of all time! I had just graduated from University and was unsure of where to go from there. A trip around Europe was perfect... All through the Hill Towns! "

" I remember it which means it stands out in my mind, but it struck me as pretty mundane and ordinary fiction. Nothing to write home about. But it does take place in Italy.... which is always a plus in my memory banks! "

" Great beach reading. Anne Rivers Siddons is good with relationships. "

" Loved the descriptiveness of Italy. The characters seemed contrived though. You had one of every type. An easy read, particularly if on a trip. "

" learned alot about Italy "

" I do enjoy her books. They're not terribly challenging, and most of her characters are a bit the same (a remarkable number of them look like medieval effigies) but she tells a good story. "

" This is a re-read... I actually first read this book some years ago. I liked it but it's not Siddons' best, in my opinion. "

" Been married long enough to relate to some of this plot. Does switching from wine to water really make you instantly thinner? "

" Siddons puts you in Italy, which is wonderful. When the main character rounds a bend and comes upon a vista of sunflowers, as far and wide as the eye can see, you're there with her. The darker sides of her characters left me uneasy, but the armchair trip to Italy was great. "

" Well read, but very racy. Not recommended by me. The more I read the worse it got. "

" This was the book that inspired Valerie and me to travel to Italy!!! The first Siddons book I read! LOVED it! I recommend it to anyone that is planning to visit Tuscany, or Italy in general. "

" A bit more sensual than I expected. Not bad, but more discussion of sex than I expected! "

" I do enjoy her books. They're not terribly challenging, and most of her characters are a bit the same (a remarkable number of them look like medieval effigies) but she tells a good story. "

" Not my favorite of Siddons books but well written. Deals with agoraphobia brought on by a traumatic incidence in childhood. How it affects the married couple before the cure and after the cure.A study in human nature of people surrounding the couple. "

" I loved the beautiful descriptions of Italy. I felt like i was visiting the beautiful country. Good book! Do they really drink that much wine in Italy?! "

" I wasn't sure about this book in the beginning, because I thought it started out really slow. But it picked up about a third of the way in the book and it turned out to be a really good book. "

" Been married long enough to relate to some of this plot. Does switching from wine to water really make you instantly thinner? "

" I love the beach, sometimes I read about the beach. Anne Rivers Siddons writes about the beach a lot but this book was about a trip to Italy. I liked it more than I expected to. "

" Great beach reading. Anne Rivers Siddons is good with relationships. "

" I remember it which means it stands out in my mind, but it struck me as pretty mundane and ordinary fiction. Nothing to write home about. But it does take place in Italy.... which is always a plus in my memory banks! "