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Title: Blessing on the Moon

Author: Joseph Skibell

Narrator: Allen Lewis Rickman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-07-10

Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

At the center of A Blessing on the Moon is Chaim Skibelski. Death is merely the beginning of Chaims troubles. In the opening pages, he is shot along with the other Jews of his small Polish village. But instead of resting peacefully in the World to Come, Chaim, for reasons unclear to him, is left to wander the earth, accompanied by his rabbi, who has taken the form of a talking crow. Chaims afterlife journey is filled with extraordinary encounters whose consequences are far greater than he realizes.

Not since Art Spiegelmans Maus has a work so powerfully evoked one of the darkest moments of the 20th century with such daring originality.

Critic Reviews:

As magical as it is macabre." (The New Yorker)

Startlingly original.... Recalls the dark, hallucinatory world of Jerzy Kosinskis The Painted Bird while at the same time surpassing it. (The Washington Post)

"Brilliant ... Astonishing. (The Boston Globe)

Contact me for any questions: [email protected]

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Title: The Guns of Navarone

Author: Alistair MacLean

Narrator: Steven Pacey

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-03-10

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Mallory, Miller, and Andrea are united into a lethally effective team. Their mission: to silence the impregnable guns set in the tall cliffs of Navarone. On their success or failure rests one of the most critical offensives of the Second World War.

Members Reviews:

Where is the unabridged version?

Sadly this book is destroyed by the way it was abridged. Alistair MacLean is a favorite author of mine but this version is not worth purchasing. It cuts out all the humor and character development leaving the dry and bare bones of the story. Buy the book in print or wait for the unabridged version.

Brilliant novel and great performance

A classic novel with brilliant voice acting which really made the characters come to life

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Title: Ghost Light

Author: Joseph O'Connor

Narrator: Marcella Riordan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 06-03-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 18 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Dublin 1907, a city of whispered rumours. An actress still in her teens begins an affair with a damaged older man, the leading playwright at the theatre where she works.

Rebellious, irreverent, beautiful, flirtatious, Molly Allgood is a girl of the inner city tenements, dreaming of stardom in America. Witty and watchful, she has dozens of admirers. But in the backstage of her life, there is a secret.

Her lover, John Synge, is a troubled, reticent genius, the son of a once prosperous landowning family, a poet of fiery language and tempestuous passions. Yet his life is hampered by Edwardian conventions and by the austere and God-fearing mother with whom he lives.

Members Reviews:

Too slow paced in intrigue to hold one's interest

What would have made Ghost Light better?

Arrive at the conflict of the story sooner. Plot unreveles too slowly

Has Ghost Light turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

What does Marcella Riordan bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

didn't care for the story

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment

Any additional comments?

better luck next read

Brilliant reading, slow story

Would you listen to Ghost Light again? Why?

This was one of the most brilliantly read, if not THE most, audiobook I've ever listed to. Marecella Riordan's portrayal of all of the characters, each with the different Irish accents, was amazing. There were some wonderful "Irish-isms" and turns of speech that literally made me (of Irish decent and an actress) laugh out loud. But other than that, I did find the story rather slow and a bit meandering.

Very good story.

Would you listen to Ghost Light again? Why?

Yes, in fact, I had to listen to the beginning again after finishing the entire book, in order to straighten out some things I had overlooked at the start, because of the way the author uses flashbacks. But it is a nice story, based on real persons and historical events.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the reader can really understand the characters.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were several good scenes. Can't pick one.

If you could rename Ghost Light, what would you call it?

I think the title is just fine.

Any additional comments?

No.

Fantastic book to listen to

This was a fantastic book. I really enjoyed the narrator. I was sorry when it ended. I plan to look for more audible selections by Joseph O'Connor. He is an excellent writer.

Once was not enough!

During my 10 hours of commuting every week I depend upon audio books to make this torture bearable. This offering of Joseph O'Connor was such a rare pleasure that I immediately set up my player to repeat the pleasure. The language is rich and colourful and many of his metaphors leave me sighing with envy. The characters are rounded and 3-D and wonderfully portrayed by Marcella Riordan. Her rendition of rude Irish is just great.

When I have completed this second hearing I shall buy the book so that I can underline my favourite passages so that I can plagiarise them at will.

This is the best since 'The Book Thief' in my opinion.

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Title: Private Life

Author: Jane Smiley

Narrator: Kate Reading

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-04-10

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 48 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A riveting new novel from the Pulitzer Prize-winner that traverses the intimate landscape of one woman's life, from the 1880s to World War II.

Margaret Mayfield is nearly an old maid at 27 in post-Civil War Missouri when she marries Captain Andrew Jackson Jefferson Early. He's the most famous man their small town has ever produced: a naval officer and a brilliant astronomer, a genius who, according to the local paper, has changed the universe. Margaret's mother calls the match a piece of luck.

Margaret is a good girl who has been raised to marry, yet Andrew confounds her expectations from the moment their train leaves for his naval base in faraway California. Soon she comes to understand that his devotion to science leaves precious little room for anything, or anyone, else. When personal tragedies strike and when national crises envelop the country, Margaret stands by her husband. But as World War II approaches, Andrew's obsessions take a different, darker turn, and Margaret is forced to reconsider the life she has so carefully constructed.

Private Life is a beautiful evocation of a woman's inner world: of the little girl within the hopeful bride, of the young woman filled with yearning, and of the faithful wife who comes to harbor a dangerous secret. But it is also a heartbreaking portrait of marriage and the mysteries that endure even in lives lived side by side; a wondrously evocative historical panorama; and, above all, a masterly, unforgettable novel from one of our finest storytellers.

Critic Reviews:

"Smiley casts a gimlet eye on the institution of marriage even as she offers a fascinating glimpse of a distant era." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Perfect Marriage of Text and Narrator

This novel is so amazing and so beautifully narrated that I have listened to it twice. Perhaps one must be middle aged to appreciate the wisdom -- both tragic and comic -- of Jane Smiley's perspective on a traditional relationship lasting many years. This book is profound in its delineation of the ambivalence and the ambiguity implicit in marriage and the slow coming to consciousness of its 'heroine'.

Trapped as a woman of this time can be

This story is a slow burn of a woman trapped by the expectations of society - a society that devalues unmarried women, that considers men's intellect superior and allows people to be labeled and robbed of reaching their potential. The narrative is also a slow burn, plodding on with a building sense of helplessness and hopelessness. Expertly narrated by Kate Reading.

Terrible Narration

This is one of my favorite authors but I am dropping the audio book after a few hours of listening to this woman read it as if to rest home inhabitants - so boring!

I will pick up the book from the library and proceed with the rest of the story which I'm sure is a good one, but not when read by this narrator!

Interessantes Buch

What did you like best about Private Life? What did you like least?

Das Eintauchen in eine andere Zeit.

If youve listened to books by Jane Smiley before, how does this one compare?

Das war mein erstes Buch von der Autorin.

Which character as performed by Kate Reading was your favorite?

Keiner, Kate Reading bringt alle Charactere gleich gut zur Geltung.

Did Private Life inspire you to do anything?

Nein.

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Title: Broken Jewel

Author: David Robbins

Narrator: George Guidall

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-17-10

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

New York Times best-selling author David L. Robbins has entrenched himself as the master of the World War II novel. Telling the gripping story of the 1945 rescue of allied prisoners from the Los Baños camp near Manila, Broken Jewel received tremendous critical acclaim, including starred reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews.

Critic Reviews:

"Robbins's ninth novel, the best WWII Pacific campaign novel in a long time, tells the dramatic story of the 1945 rescue of 2,100 American and allied prisoners from the Los Baños camp near Manila. Middle-aged gambler Remy Tuck and his teenage son, Talbot, have been civilian prisoners since the Philippines fell to the Japanese in 1942. Packed into the miserable Los Baños, where the Japanese starve, beat, abuse and murder the prisoners, Remy and Talbot use their wits and courage to survive. Across the camp, Carmen is a young Filipina woman forced to be a sex slave for Japanese soldiers. She and Talbot forge a relationship via long-distance glances through barbed wire. Once the Americans invade the Philippines and plan a daring mission to rescue the prisoners from certain death, Remy, Talbot and Carmen risk their lives to aid the paratroopers coming to their rescue, though bad luck, homicidal guards and stray bullets nearly do them in. This is a terrific story of the triumph of the human spirit, loaded with suspense, historical accuracy and fast-paced action." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

A rich story, exciting and well told!

This is a great story, rich and exciting and well told. I felt like I was right there in the camp with all the characters. George Guidall's reading is very dramatic. I loved this audiobook, 5 stars.

A rich story, exciting and well told!

This is a great story, rich and exciting and well told. I felt like I was right there in the camp with all the characters. George Guidall's reading is very dramatic. I loved this audiobook, 5 stars.

Story of Human Endurance and Triumph

This is a novel that retells the story of the interns of the Los Banos (Philipines) Japanese prisoner of war camp. It is a fictional account of an historic time and place during WWII. In this story, the cruelty of the Japanese when at war is front and center, but in addition, small acts of kindness by a select few Japanese are also documented. Americans, Brits, Aussies and others imprisoned in the camp are characters in the story whose ability to endure and triumph over starvation, abuse and other evil is an amazing feat. Historically accurate, the story tells of how American Airborne troops, Filipino guerrillas and a father and son from the camp work together to free the 2000 prisoners before the Japanese commandant orders their mass execution. It also relates the experiences of Filipino girls and women who were enslaved as comfort women. It goes without saying that George Guidall's performance is once again extraordinary. He gives voice and life to a range of characters in a plethora of accents and intonations that engage listeners completely.

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Title: Cottonwood Whispers

Author: Jennifer Erin Valent

Narrator: Kate Forbes

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-09-10

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Award-winning author Jennifer Erin Valent follows her unforgettable Fireflies in December with another emotionally charged tale of the South.

Although Jessilyn and Gemmas friendship has weathered the storms of heartache and prejudice, the turbulent summer of 1936 threatens to shatter the ties that bind. After the hit-and-run death of a little girl, Gemmas explosive revelation could save an innocent mans lifebut not without jeopardizing the livelihood of Jessilyns family.

Critic Reviews:

"Strong character development strengthens the storyline and leaves the reader anticipating more novels, hopefully a sequel. Valent is a gifted author with a promising future." (Romantic Times)

Members Reviews:

Exceptional

Moving, riveting, touching, humorous! Told in her charming way, Erin has weaved another poignant tale. Performance by Kate Forbes excellent, as usual. Definitely a winner!

Enjoyed it!

Good sequel... Looking forward to 3rd in series! Takes you back in time, and it is easy to visualize life in the 30's.

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Titel: Der Frevel des Clodius (SPQR 3)

Autor:: John Maddox Roberts

Erzähler: Erich Räuker

Format: Unabridged

Spieldauer: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Sprache: Deutsch

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 12-17-09

Herausgeber: Audible Studios

Kategorien: Fiction, Historical

Zusammenfassung des Herausgebers:

>> Diese ungekürzte Hörbuch-Fassung wird Ihnen exklusiv von Audible präsentiert und ist ausschließlich im Download erhältlich.

Der Autor:

Der 1947 in Ohio geborene John Maddox Roberts machte sich zunächst als Autor zahlreicher Science-Fiction-Romane einen Namen. Seinem ersten historischen Kriminalroman aus dem alten Rom "SPQR" folgten bisher zehn weitere erfolgreiche Romane mit dem sympathischen Helden Decius Caecilius Metellus.

Kritik Bewertungen:

Eine zu Recht gerühmte Krimiserie.

--Publishers Weekly

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Title: Never Come Morning

Author: Nelson Algren

Narrator: Stefan Rudnicki

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-13-09

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Bruno Bicek, "Lefty," is a prizefighter and small-time hood in Chicago. Boxing is his ticket to escape hard times and gang life, but when Bruno doesn't prevent the brutal gang rape of his girlfriend, Steffi, it tears them apart, their worlds changed forever. Bruno is sent to jail and Steffi to a brothel governed by the brutality of a local crime boss, The Barber. Sinister and dark, The Barber controls Steffi and has no intention of letting her go. Why should he, when he holds all the cards? Bruno and Steffi, who dream of breaking free, learn this in the end and find that for them there will be no bright morning.

©1987 the Estate of Nelson Algren; (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"The best book to come out of Chicago." (Ernest Hemingway)

"An unusual book and a brilliant book." (New York Times)

Members Reviews:

Enlightening

This book have me a much better understanding of my parents. Chicago was really a different place back then and in their neighborhood.

Flawed, but.......

There is some beautiful writing in this novel. However, the fight at the end is too extended. Character development is uneven. But it accurately depicts Chicago in the early 20th century. It creates a great sense of place with characteristic dialogue. This novel is worth your time from an author who deserves a wider audience.

Not as good as I had hoped

I expected better, particularly because I grew up in the neighborhoods in Chicago described in the book. I found the dialogue often tedious.

Dark and gritty. A work of transition.

Bruno Bicek and Steffi R. have dreams beyond the reality of their Chicago existence and the nightmarish control of the Barber, Bonifacy Konstantine. Bruno Bicek is a boxing contender and Steffi R. is the girlfriend he let be gang-raped. The Barber knows this and that Bruno Bicek has murdered one of the gang. The Barber has Steffi R. in his grasp and has no intention of letting her go. Bruno Bicek feels sure of his chances and intends taking her from him. But the Barber holds all the cards and, for Bruno Bicek and Steffi R. there will be no bright morning.

Never Come Morning has its moments: the fight scenes at the start and end of the book; the scenes in which the characters consider their lives, in a style that will be made much use of in The Man with the Golden Arm. Everything else is dark and gritty, but is not especially effective within the story because of its apparent inclusion for the sake of something anecdotal in order to flesh out the characters' traits and thoughts. In addition, Nelson Algren makes reading this book a chore like he did with The Man with the Golden Arm, by having rapid changes of viewpoint in scenes with a multiplicity of characters. This would have been quite benign given a more omniscient writing style like Fritz Leiber's, but is very distracting here.

Nevertheless, Never Come Morning is engaging, and, taken in overview, is a very satisfactory read, which demonstrates the power in Nelson Algren's writing. A power that in subsequent works, grows and grows.

Three Stars

I had a problem with the AZ1 format of the file.

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Title: The House of Blue Mangoes

Author: David Davidar

Narrator: Robert Whitfield

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 04-03-09

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Richly emotional and abundant in historical detail, The House of Blue Mangoes is a gripping family chronicle that spans nearly a half century and three generations of the Dorai family as they search for their place in a rapidly changing society. Whether recruited into the burgeoning independence movement, apprenticed in ancient medical arts, or managing a British tea plantation, the Dorai men nevertheless find themselves drawn back to their ancestral land by profound emotional ties that transcend even the most powerful forces of history.

Critic Reviews:

"Thoroughly engrossing...." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Eminently missable

"The House of Blue Mangoes" has been hyped as a sensational debut by David Davidar, the CEO of Penguin Publishing in India. The book traces the lives of three generations of Dorais as they try to find their place in the world. Solomon Dorai, the patriarch of the family, must strive hard to keep his town, Chevathar, from erupting into violence as a result of caste disputes. Ultimately, Solomon falls victim to this very evil. Of Solomonï¿s two sons, Aaron is a hothead whose primary claim to fame is the successful clearing ( in high-jump) of a massive well in Chevathar. The other son, Daniel, is much more worldly-wise and takes care of his family after a successful stint as "vaidyan" (doctor). Danielï¿s son, Kannan, chooses to move away from Chevathar and seek his fortunes in the white manï¿s (read occupiers, the British) tea estates. We see changes that afflict the Dorai clan -- assimilation into foreign cultures and even a "love" marriage in this generation. Finally we learn that even if your average Dorai strays far from Chevathar, he magically hears the call and always comes back "home". Yawn!

The biggest problem with Blue Mangoes is that the story is so mediocre. In a recent interview, Mr. Davidar mentioned how he wanted to write about all his childhood memories played out in South India. I wish he had stuck to that agenda and written a wonderful memoir of sorts. Instead, what he has done is tried to create a filler story around all his memories. And that is always a dangerous game to play. Whatï¿s worse, Davidar has tried to create a "saga" which means he throws everything but the kitchen sink in. Youï¿ve got caste, caste, and more caste. Youï¿ve got dowry, youï¿ve got oppressive husbands, subservient wives, man-eating tigers, the works. Davidar tries hard to create a panoramic effect but in the end, the book rambles too much. He needs a better editor. Another hindrance that many readers might find annoying is Davidarï¿s generous use of Tamil words with no translation or lexicon included.

The one saving grace of "House of Blue Mangoes" is that it is a masaledar, spicy read. It would make a good beach book. But I would borrow my copy from the library. Spend your money on better books.

(3.5) House of Blues....

I wanted this book to be as fascinating as the first hundred pages. Certainly all of the elements are present: the family patriarchy, feuding neighbors, an entrenched caste system in precarious balance.

Three generations of Dorais act out this familial drama, male characters predominant, from Solomon Dorai to his sons Aaron and Daniel, and Daniel's son Kammel.

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Title: Garlands of Gold

Author: Rosalind Laker

Narrator: Patience Tomlinson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-16-09

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 22 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When the Gibbons family decides to return to England, Saskia goes with them, and in time the opportunity arises for her to set up in business. Robert supports and advises her in this enterprise, hopeful of winning her love. But Saskia has given her heart to Grinling, a man whose interests lie elsewhere...

Members Reviews:

boaring

very boring kept listening hoping it would get better- it didn't.