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El librero
En Londres, el librero William Buggage y su ayudante la señorita Tottle, se dedican a estafar a viudas de hombres importantes enviandoles facturas falsas de supuestas compras de literatura pornográfica que habrían realizado sus esposos recientemente fallecidos. Las viudas para evitar el escandalo, las pagan.
88 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
8 people are currently reading
1221 people want to read
About the author
Roald Dahl
1,473 books26.6k followersRoald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
May 27, 2017
I took a temporary turn away from Dahl stories that are geared for children to give this one a whirl. Admittedly, it is a wonderfully-crafted short piece whose content and intended readership are surely of the adult variety. Mr. Buggage is a hardworking bookseller who seeks to make a well-earned buck (or quid, I suppose). He and his secretary, Miss Tottle, find their greatest success in targeting the richest of the English elite, though in ways much less honourable than might be expected. Scouring through death records, Buggage and Tottle fleece widows out of large sums of money through fictitious book purchases their late husbands purportedly made, mostly salacious and scandalous pieces that act as wonderful blackmail. Large sums of 'balance paying funds' arrive and nothing else is said, leaving Buggage to feel he has successfully completed another transaction. However, every plan has its weakness, something that both Buggage and Tottle have surely forgotten. Will they disappear before they are discovered? Only time will tell. A highly-entertaining piece that is perfect for a coffee break or over a lunchtime repose. Proof that Dahl can entertain audiences of all ages.
As I have been saying over the last while, Dahl is an author for the ages. Some bemoan his marital choices or fidelity, but I am not sure how that relates to the work he produces. Others cannot get out of the 'Charlie Bucket' mindset and worry that if they are seen reading anything Dahl, their mental acuity might be in question. I would venture to say that, like Stephen King, Dahl is full of ideas for stories that entertain all ages and mindsets. I can only hope that readers will suspend their preconceived notions and enjoy this piece. Strong and smarmy characters balance nicely with a well-paced story that does not let up until the final sentence, as things come to a head. If only all short stories could work so well, I would be pleased!
Kudos, Mr. Dahl for entertaining your adult audiences so effectively as well. I am blessed to have found this piece and hope you have other gems out there. You left us too soon, even if the haters seem to revel in it.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
As I have been saying over the last while, Dahl is an author for the ages. Some bemoan his marital choices or fidelity, but I am not sure how that relates to the work he produces. Others cannot get out of the 'Charlie Bucket' mindset and worry that if they are seen reading anything Dahl, their mental acuity might be in question. I would venture to say that, like Stephen King, Dahl is full of ideas for stories that entertain all ages and mindsets. I can only hope that readers will suspend their preconceived notions and enjoy this piece. Strong and smarmy characters balance nicely with a well-paced story that does not let up until the final sentence, as things come to a head. If only all short stories could work so well, I would be pleased!
Kudos, Mr. Dahl for entertaining your adult audiences so effectively as well. I am blessed to have found this piece and hope you have other gems out there. You left us too soon, even if the haters seem to revel in it.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
November 9, 2017
Lectura rápida. Me habían advertido que leer a Roald es como leer "un cuento para adultos" y así ha sido. Me ha gustado.
PD: La edición de Nórdica es bastante chula.
PD: La edición de Nórdica es bastante chula.
July 21, 2016
Roald Dahl always turned me off, probably because of how he cheated on Patricia Neal. Turd. His books get the glare from me and are not allowed into my home. Biased yes, I just never liked him.
However, since this is an audio version of one of his short stories, I have not broken my own rule. He still can't enter the front door, but listening on the commute was okay. With all that said, I really enjoyed this short production. The values are all there, the actors spot-on. Very good, very enjoyable, and the lemony twist at the end was excellent.
But Mr. Dahl's printed children may still not enter my abode.
Book Season = Year Round (booksy)
However, since this is an audio version of one of his short stories, I have not broken my own rule. He still can't enter the front door, but listening on the commute was okay. With all that said, I really enjoyed this short production. The values are all there, the actors spot-on. Very good, very enjoyable, and the lemony twist at the end was excellent.
But Mr. Dahl's printed children may still not enter my abode.
Book Season = Year Round (booksy)
April 6, 2021
Si uno piensa en Roald Dahl posiblemente lo primero que le venga a la cabeza son títulos como Charly y la fábrica de chocolate, Las brujas, Matilda... libros que podemos considerar infantiles o juveniles pero con los que igualmente pueden disfrutar los adultos, y este es el caso de El librero, un relato corto cargado de humor e ironía y que lleva el inconfundible sello de Dahl.
En este relato nos encontramos con un librero y su ayudante un tanto peculiares. Mugriento, así se refiere el autor a William Buggage, y es que mugrientos, repulsivos, bastante desagradables en definitiva así son los protagonistas magistralmente descritos en esta historia por la pluma de Dahl.
Un librero que no sale de su despacho y que pasa el tiempo leyendo el Who's Who (Quién es quién) mientras su ayudante escribe sin parar en una máquina de escribir electrónica. Y mientras tanto son pocos, apenas alguno los clientes que abren la puerta y entrar en esa librería de libros raros que regenta el señor Buggage. ¿El negocio es una tapadera de algo más sucio?, ¿qué esconde verdaderamente este negocio? Tanto el dueño como su ayudante llevan un ritmo de vida que no se corresponde con las ventas del negocio, pero habrá que esperar casi hasta el final para entender qué es lo que está sucediendo entre las cuatro paredes de esta peculiar librería.
Si nos ha gustado el relato, lo mejor está por llegar, el final nos obligará a sonreír si es que no llegamos a soltar una carcajada porque Dahl consigue, una vez más, sorprender al lector.
Mención aparte también para las cuidadas ilustraciones que acompañan al relato.
Una historia muy, muy recomendable.
En este relato nos encontramos con un librero y su ayudante un tanto peculiares. Mugriento, así se refiere el autor a William Buggage, y es que mugrientos, repulsivos, bastante desagradables en definitiva así son los protagonistas magistralmente descritos en esta historia por la pluma de Dahl.
Un librero que no sale de su despacho y que pasa el tiempo leyendo el Who's Who (Quién es quién) mientras su ayudante escribe sin parar en una máquina de escribir electrónica. Y mientras tanto son pocos, apenas alguno los clientes que abren la puerta y entrar en esa librería de libros raros que regenta el señor Buggage. ¿El negocio es una tapadera de algo más sucio?, ¿qué esconde verdaderamente este negocio? Tanto el dueño como su ayudante llevan un ritmo de vida que no se corresponde con las ventas del negocio, pero habrá que esperar casi hasta el final para entender qué es lo que está sucediendo entre las cuatro paredes de esta peculiar librería.
Si nos ha gustado el relato, lo mejor está por llegar, el final nos obligará a sonreír si es que no llegamos a soltar una carcajada porque Dahl consigue, una vez más, sorprender al lector.
Mención aparte también para las cuidadas ilustraciones que acompañan al relato.
Una historia muy, muy recomendable.
July 10, 2016
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07j40wrDescription: Charles Dance leads the cast as the urbane Storyteller in dramatisations of five classic tales by Roald Dahl. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these dark comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings, and for their rogues gallery of crooks, cheats and schemers.
The stories show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction, combining black comedy with sly social satire. They are stylishly plotted, vividly characterised and made unforgettable by their breezy cynicism, presenting a hilariously bleak view of human nature.
In The Bookseller, we find Mr Buggage and his secretary Miss Tottle hard at work in the back room of Mr Buggage's book shop in London's Charing Cross Road. It soon becomes clear that they are running a most successful business - but the fortune they are amassing is not from the sale of books.
January 3, 2019
Cada vez me ánimo más a disfrutar de cuentos ilustrados .Intercalo su lectura entre obras más complejas .
📚Es divertido y sorprendente...que final!
📌Las ilustraciones son de Federico Delicado ...La portada me parecía “repulsiva”y me costo decidirme a leerlo .
Al hacerlo me di cuenta que las ilustraciones son una genialidad,porque si algo hay repulsivo en el libro son :el librero y su ayudante .
📌Muy recomendable .
📚Es divertido y sorprendente...que final!
📌Las ilustraciones son de Federico Delicado ...La portada me parecía “repulsiva”y me costo decidirme a leerlo .
Al hacerlo me di cuenta que las ilustraciones son una genialidad,porque si algo hay repulsivo en el libro son :el librero y su ayudante .
📌Muy recomendable .
March 16, 2019
Roald Dahl tenía un sentido del humor bastante retorcido, me lo demostró en La Cata y ahora con esta pequeña joya, como me ha gustado esta lectura, es realmente divertida.
Los personajes principales son tan repulsivos, en su físico, en sus modos, con lo que hacen, es que realmente uno termina odiándolos y sintiendo hasta asco de ellos.
Si bien es verdad que me imaginaba la forma en que terminaría y no fue un final tan maravilloso como en La Cata, lo cierto es que se disfruta enormemente, el final, me refiero, es que no pude evitar soltar una carcajada.
Realmente divertido, más allá de entretenido y se lee en una sentada, una de esas lecturas deliciosas que te hacen pasar un muy buen rato
Los personajes principales son tan repulsivos, en su físico, en sus modos, con lo que hacen, es que realmente uno termina odiándolos y sintiendo hasta asco de ellos.
Si bien es verdad que me imaginaba la forma en que terminaría y no fue un final tan maravilloso como en La Cata, lo cierto es que se disfruta enormemente, el final, me refiero, es que no pude evitar soltar una carcajada.
Realmente divertido, más allá de entretenido y se lee en una sentada, una de esas lecturas deliciosas que te hacen pasar un muy buen rato
January 12, 2017
Me encanta, no soy objetiva, este relato es puro Dahl.
August 4, 2018
Una edición con preciosas ilustraciones y ese final…juas. Me voy a animar con más relatos del autor.
November 25, 2023
هه هه:))
فروشنده های بدبخت توقع این رو دیگه نداشتن.
جدای از خود داستان، گوش دادنش بخاطر اون صدای تایپ زیرش، برام زجر آور بود.
ولی خب صدا و مدل اجرا آنقدر خوبه که ادامه دادم.
فروشنده های بدبخت توقع این رو دیگه نداشتن.
جدای از خود داستان، گوش دادنش بخاطر اون صدای تایپ زیرش، برام زجر آور بود.
ولی خب صدا و مدل اجرا آنقدر خوبه که ادامه دادم.
January 1, 2021
Mugriento es el adjetivo que utiliza Roald Dahl para describir al señor Buggage.
Mugrientos, repulsivos y asquerosos son los protagonistas de esta novela corta, el anteriormente citado, dueño de una librería de libros raros junto a su ayudante la señorita Tottle. Así son sus descripciones y así son las ilustraciones de Federico Delicado (perfectas y geniales, mugrientas, repulsivas y asquerosas) y así es la profesión a la que se dedican, que no se trata solo de vender libros.
Una novela intrigante, divertida y satírica con un final muy sorprendente.
Roald Dahl siempre me deja con ganas de más 💚
Mugrientos, repulsivos y asquerosos son los protagonistas de esta novela corta, el anteriormente citado, dueño de una librería de libros raros junto a su ayudante la señorita Tottle. Así son sus descripciones y así son las ilustraciones de Federico Delicado (perfectas y geniales, mugrientas, repulsivas y asquerosas) y así es la profesión a la que se dedican, que no se trata solo de vender libros.
Una novela intrigante, divertida y satírica con un final muy sorprendente.
Roald Dahl siempre me deja con ganas de más 💚
September 26, 2022
4,5 estrellas
Me pareció una broma bastante cómica y entretenida. Sabía que no encontraría un "Crimen y Castigo" o "Los miserables", así que dentro de lo que esperaba, cumplió mis expectativas.
Me pareció una broma bastante cómica y entretenida. Sabía que no encontraría un "Crimen y Castigo" o "Los miserables", así que dentro de lo que esperaba, cumplió mis expectativas.
October 15, 2016
O que acontece nessa misteriosa livraria ou sebo de livros raros , onde os clientes ficam bem à vontade sem vigilância e se quiserem pagar pelos livros comprados têm que entrar em outra sala onde estão o livreiro e sua secretária? Que segredos ocultam pois vivem em um nível de vida altíssimo, com mais de oitenta contas bancárias? Um livro com ilustrações maravilhosas que dão força ao texto com uma história que nos prende até o final. Pequeno Livro que se lê em 1 hora ,mas contado com humor e estilo. Adorei , lembrando que foi esse escritor que escreveu "A fantástica fábrica de chocolates" com duas versões para o cinema.
August 4, 2020
Divertido, rápido y fácil de leer. Roald Dahl es un genio del relato corto.
July 15, 2016
From BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama:
Charles Dance leads the cast as the urbane Storyteller in dramatisations of five classic tales by Roald Dahl. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these dark comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings, and for their rogues gallery of crooks, cheats and schemers.
The stories show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction, combining black comedy with sly social satire. They are stylishly plotted, vividly characterised and made unforgettable by their breezy cynicism, presenting a hilariously bleak view of human nature.
In The Bookseller, we find Mr Buggage and his secretary Miss Tottle hard at work in the back room of Mr Buggage's book shop in London's Charing Cross Road. It soon becomes clear that they are running a most successful business - but the fortune they are amassing is not from the sale of books.
Written by Roald Dahl
Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan.
Director: David Blount
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07j40wr
Charles Dance leads the cast as the urbane Storyteller in dramatisations of five classic tales by Roald Dahl. Bizarre and amusing by turns, these dark comedies are justly famous for their surprise endings, and for their rogues gallery of crooks, cheats and schemers.
The stories show Dahl at the height of his powers as a writer of adult fiction, combining black comedy with sly social satire. They are stylishly plotted, vividly characterised and made unforgettable by their breezy cynicism, presenting a hilariously bleak view of human nature.
In The Bookseller, we find Mr Buggage and his secretary Miss Tottle hard at work in the back room of Mr Buggage's book shop in London's Charing Cross Road. It soon becomes clear that they are running a most successful business - but the fortune they are amassing is not from the sale of books.
Written by Roald Dahl
Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan.
Director: David Blount
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07j40wr
September 3, 2015
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry starts each chapter with a description of a short story, and this was one of them. I decided to read all the short stories as I loved 'Storied. This short story is so O Henry, that I can't believe O Henry didn't write it. But it's got the bonus of a little weirdness of Dahl. I'm going to read a lot more than this one from the collection.
December 17, 2018
- Puedes dar por sentado que cualquiera que tenga un título será un imbécil.
- Eso no es del todo cierto. A algunas personas les otorgan títulos porque han hecho cosas realmente geniales.
- Me refiero a los títulos heredados. Cualquiera que nazca con un título tiene todas las papeletas para ser un imbécil.
- Eso no es del todo cierto. A algunas personas les otorgan títulos porque han hecho cosas realmente geniales.
- Me refiero a los títulos heredados. Cualquiera que nazca con un título tiene todas las papeletas para ser un imbécil.
December 27, 2022
Un cuento pequeñito y fácil de leer, entretenido, aunque realmente esperaba algo diferente.
Resulta que un librero ha logrado amasar una gran fortuna y no precisamente con la venta de libros. En la trastienda se teje un negocio particular en coordinación con su asistente, aprovechándose de la ingenuidad de algunas viudas de hombres acaudalados y la investigación de los intereses de los fallecidos. Sin embargo, hay aspectos que no han considerado y que les llegan a pasar factura.
Resulta que un librero ha logrado amasar una gran fortuna y no precisamente con la venta de libros. En la trastienda se teje un negocio particular en coordinación con su asistente, aprovechándose de la ingenuidad de algunas viudas de hombres acaudalados y la investigación de los intereses de los fallecidos. Sin embargo, hay aspectos que no han considerado y que les llegan a pasar factura.
September 21, 2018
Desde niños, muchos de nosotros siempre, de alguna forma u otra hemos sido conocedores de famosos personajes que este hombre creó, y si bien no han sido muchos los libros que he leído de él, en su mayoría son dirigidos para niños, y vaya sorpresa que me lleve leyendo este, un relato corto enfocado para lectores adultos, el cual es muy divertido e ingenioso, además de excelente para pasar el rato, y por supuesto con un final totalmente inesperado pero sumamente ingenioso.
July 18, 2016
Oh no the goose is no longer laying the golden eggs ...........
Read the story
Heard the dramatic adaptation here
September 1, 2021
Empecé leyéndolo creyendo que sería un cuento infantil, y aunque no tiene escenas explicita, si diría que es un cuento para un público más adulto.
La trama está entretenida, y es muy rápido de leer. Aunque al no leer la sinopsis, no sabía muy bien de que iba. Pero a medida que avanzaba, iba entendiendo. El final me pareció un poco gracioso. Las ilustraciones están muy geniales.
La trama está entretenida, y es muy rápido de leer. Aunque al no leer la sinopsis, no sabía muy bien de que iba. Pero a medida que avanzaba, iba entendiendo. El final me pareció un poco gracioso. Las ilustraciones están muy geniales.
July 16, 2019
Primera vez que vuelvo a Roald Dahl desde mi infancia. Para un adulto es un relato entretenido, para un niño es espectacular, misterioso, alberga la maldad y la diversión en tan solo unas páginas. Genial lectura, me ha hecho recordar lo que sentí al leer “las brujas” cuando era pequeña.
July 23, 2020
Conocía algunos de sus cuentos para niños y cuando vi que tenia este para adultos, me anime a leerlo. Esta muy bien (mejor no saber de que va, que es muy cortito y así sorprende más :)
November 28, 2023
Puede resultar muy predecible pero es muy entretenido. El relato para adultos no es el Dahl que a mi más me gusta, pero está bien.
June 2, 2019
This book was one featured in the book The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, and I didn’t think I had read it. I was wrong—I have read it, but it’s short and is an interesting little book. So I decided to listen to the audio while we were traveling. Not much one can say about a little book that doesn’t have much plot. But Dahl does a masterful job of creating two loathsome characters and an interesting situation.
September 2, 2016
Absurdo, breve y desternillante. Puro Dahl. El final, para enmarcar ^_^
September 13, 2016
Genial edición de este cojonudo relato de Dahl. Las ilustraciones son preciosas y la historia muy cabrona.
September 25, 2018
Cuento corto y entretenido, qué bien describe el autor a los personajes en cuatro palabras. Las ilustraciones me han gustado y la historia también, aunque no sea nada del otro mundo.
September 13, 2018
Me estoy aficionando a la prosa de Dahl. En este caso, un cuento para adultos bastante bueno. Aunque esperaba un final un poco más espectacular...
Aún así, recomendable siempre!
Aún así, recomendable siempre!
August 9, 2012
What a fun short story! I was familiar with the author's children's books, so when I was looking for something to listen to while I cleaned the kitchen and I saw his name beside a short story for adults, I checked it out on audiobook from my library. It's certainly not a children's story! In fact, I just learned it was first published in Playboy in 1986. That said, I found it wonderfully entertaining. If this isn't already a play, it should be. It would be delightful on the stage! It's great as an audiobook because the reader acts the parts and does the accents so well.
The story's main characters are a seedy couple of rare book dealers who make money by creating false invoices which they mail to wealthy widows of the recently deceased. The false invoices include lengthy lists of erotica, and usually the widows pay up in an effort to keep such an embarrassment from getting out. Usually.
Quick and fun. Loved Dahl's vivid descriptions of the characters and the British accents on audiobook. I'll defiinitely keep an eye out for more of his short stories. They're great to listen to while preparing a meal or cleaning a room.
The story's main characters are a seedy couple of rare book dealers who make money by creating false invoices which they mail to wealthy widows of the recently deceased. The false invoices include lengthy lists of erotica, and usually the widows pay up in an effort to keep such an embarrassment from getting out. Usually.
Quick and fun. Loved Dahl's vivid descriptions of the characters and the British accents on audiobook. I'll defiinitely keep an eye out for more of his short stories. They're great to listen to while preparing a meal or cleaning a room.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews