First things first: this narrator was PERFECTION. Her voice really exuded the mysticism, the old-as-time energy, the witty, sometimes biting magical wisdom of the Baba Yaga. At some points, where the questions could have been written by me, I felt like I was sitting down opposite Baba Yaga in her chicken-footed hut, gazing into her bottomless eyes in supplication... wishing she could be a mother to me, giving me the strength to go on through merely her wordless, imposing presence. (Perhaps that's my mommy issues acting up...)

I think maybe this recording could have benefited from having some short musical interludes here and there, though. Personally, I found myself losing focus quite a few times while listening, because the individual questions and answers are so short and simultaneously so packed with metaphors to interpret and decode, so beautifully crafted - each answer is like a gift, carefully wrapped, and one must peel off the layers of wrapping to get to its core. The advice and wisdoms given here really deserve - and need - to be properly listened to and taken to heart, so I would have appreciated a minute or so here and there to reflect on everything, especially after dealing with the heavier subjects. Instead, I had to skip back several times, which made for a less relaxed listening session.

Regardless, I really did like it. It was a quick and introspective listening experience, and it kind of felt like having a mental and emotional spa session. Having already read and enjoyed Jane Yolen's beautiful verse novel Finding Baba Yaga, which apparently took some inspiration from the Ask Baba Yaga column, listening to this collection was a closing of the circle, in a way. It made me want to go back to Yolen - in fact, I think I'll do that right now.

I barely enjoyed this audiobook it is two books in one. The narrator did a wonderful job portraying baba. It does answer pretty difficult questions in a way that is fun but also is self-help. Throughout the book you have the question narrated by one person and then the narrator is baba so it is very distinct and who is talking.

Synopsis:
Ask Baba Yaga is a collection of audios, each of which consists of a question to Baba Yaga (mainly and almost exclusively relationship-wise) and her response and advice.

Opinion:
The narrator does a great job at conveying what talking to Baba Yaga would be like. The tone of her voice is on point, and the advice she gives is pretty good. However, this is not the book for me, but I can see how someone else would definitely enjoy it. The chapters were too short, and it got repetitive after a while.

Baba Yaga as an Agony Aunt. (I suspect she’d be unwilling to play this nice, but if you’re willing to admit the premise, it is a delight)

I started this audiobook with extremely high hopes that nearly sputtered and died out in the rather long series of silly questions seeking romantic advice—romantic advice that was funny! Picture going to Baba Yaga to bemoan your dating woes! The juxtaposition is ridiculous and fun...for a while. But they keep coming and the novelty was just beginning to wear off when I get the air knocked out of me as it shifts to far more profound answers to far more complicated questions. My hopes were restored and my eyes occasionally misty.

If you are in need of some cryptic and heavily symbolic advice for whatever problems may ail you, seek no further.


“The beaches of this earth are littered with spines abandoned”

Pick one up and strap it to your back.

This was such a witty, humorous, poignant collection of self-help questions answered by the Russian folkloric being Baba Yaga. Sometimes insightful, sometimes unflinchingly honest, Baba Yaga always seems to give excellent advice. If a Slavic witch had an Ask Me column, this would be it, and it would be GOLD.

Ask Baba Yaga, was a very interesting story. I loved the narrator, she did an awesome job conveying Baba Yaga mysterious personality. I also loved all the questions asked and Baba Yaga’s response to them. She is very sassy, some of the answers flew over my head but it was still very entertaining.

I'm afraid this one was a DNF, which is very rare for me. Usually, once I start a book, I have to finish it., even if I don't like it. Unfortunately, I had to give up with this one. I got about a third of the way in and I was so incredibly bored. I found the content trite and uninteresting. Would not recommend.

I have a rule that I have to read/watch/listen to anything with Baba Yaga in the title, and this rule has rarely failed to bring the interesting, the odd, and the macabre into my life.

Ask Baba Yaga: The Audiobook Collection is no exception. The narrator does an excellent job of bringing both the querents and the Baba Yaga to life, and Kitaiskaia's astounding use of imagery blends with the combination of weird, heartfelt, and sometimes arcane advice.

Highly enjoyable.