Download the Top 100 Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical Popular Titles

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Title: The Spy Lover

Author: Kiana Davenport

Narrator: Todd Haberkorn

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-28-12

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 22 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Thrust into the savagery of the U.S. Civil War, a Chinese immigrant fighting for the Union Army, a nurse turned spy, and a one-armed Confederate cavalryman find their lives inextricably entwined.

Johnny Tom, a Chinese immigrant, is promised American citizenship if he serves with the Union Army. But first he must survive the carnage of battles and rampant racism among the ranks. Desperate to find him, his daughter, Era, becomes a Union spy while nursing soldiers in Confederate camps. She falls in love with Warren, a one-armed cavalryman, and her loyalties become divided between her beloved father in the North and the man who sustains her in the South.

An extraordinary novel that will stand as a defining work on the Chinese immigrant experience, The Spy Lover is a paean to the transcendence of love and the resilience of the human spirit.

Members Reviews:

Interesting story, fantastic narration

What made the experience of listening to The Spy Lover the most enjoyable?

Todd Haberkorn has a really nice, soothing voice. It was a good contrast to the violent imagery that comes with a Civil War novel.

What other book might you compare The Spy Lover to and why?

This is really the first novel of this genre that I've read/listened to.

Have you listened to any of Todd Haberkorns other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've seen a few anime series that he's been in. This was very different from what I'm used to hearing from him, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was one I looked forward to coming back to. Definitely worth listening to.

Excellent narrator!

What an excellent narrator! He has a voice quality that is easy to listen to for hours, which is good since this is a long book. The story was very interesting to me even though the story line seemed preposterous the last couple of chapters. Overall, it was a very good story.

Get this audiobook...you won't be disappointed!!

Fantastic civil war drama combined with exceptional narration made this audiobook a rare treat! Todd Haberkorn truly delivered an incredible narrative with Chinese, Irish, southern, northern, slave, indian....the list goes on......dialects with great success. It made listening to this terrific tale a real pleasure!

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Title: The Woman at the Light

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Joanna Brady

Narrator: Hillary Huber

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-03-12

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In the tradition of Leila Meacham and Dorothea Benton Frank comes a stunning debut novel about a well-born Southern woman who finds courage and strength to overcome tragedy with an unexpected new love.

One afternoon in 1839, Emily Lowrys husband vanishes from Wreckers Cay, an isolated island off the coast of Key West where he tends the lighthouse. As days stretch into months, Emily has no choice but to take charge of Wreckers Cay and her husbands duties tending the light to support her three children - and a fourth on the way. Unexpected help arrives when a runaway slave named Andrew washes up on their beach. At first, Emily is intensely wary of this strange, charming man, whose very presence there is highly illegal. But Andrew proves himself an enormous help and soon wins the hearts of the Lowry family. Far from the outside world and societys rules, his place in Emilys life, as steadfast now as the light, will forever change their futures. When Emilys family is ripped apart once again, she faces untold hardships that test her love and determination and show how the passionate love of a defiant, determined woman can overcome any obstacle.

Joanna Bradys novel was inspired by Key Wests colorful history and its female lighthouse keepers in the 19th century. She divides her time between Key West and a stone cottage in a medieval village in the southwest of France.

Critic Reviews:

An enthralling tale of the days when wreckers ruled the seas and a beautiful woman was fair game. (Mary Cross, author of Madonna, A Biography)

In her richly nuanced novel, Brady has created a heroine readers are unlikely to ever forget. (Michelle Moran, nationally best-selling author)

Part history, part romance, told in clear prose, The Woman at the Light is compelling and rewarding. (Daphne Kalotay, author of Russian Winter)

Members Reviews:

Good Listen

I enjoy this type of novel very much. The story line was very moving and touching for its time and the narrator did a wonderful job. I would listen to more of the author's novels and the narrator's also.

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Title: The Unseen

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Katherine Webb

Narrator: Clare Wille

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-22-12

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

From Katherine Webb, the author of the acclaimed international best seller The Legacy, comes a compelling tale of love, deception, and illusion.

A vicar with a passion for nature, the Reverend Albert Canning leads a happy existence with his naive wife, Hester, in their sleepy Berkshire village in the year 1911. But as the English summer dawns, the Cannings' lives are forever changed by two new arrivals: Cat, their new maid, a disaffected, free-spirited young woman sent down from London after entanglements with the law; and Robin Durrant, a leading expert in the occult, enticed by tales of elemental beings in the water meadows nearby.

Quickly finding a place for herself in the underbelly of local society, Cat secretly plots her escape. Meanwhile, Robin, a young man of considerable magnetic charm and beauty, soon becomes an object of fascination and desire. Sweltering in the oppressive summer heat, the peaceful rectory turns into a hotbed of dangerous ambition, forbidden love, and jealousy - a potent mixture of emotions that ultimately leads to murder.

Members Reviews:

Great book!

Loved it. Was sad when it was over. Just as good as "The Legacy."

loved it!

loved the story line. fascinating to see the division of classes and the injustices that arose from that situation.I would recommend this book highly.

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Title: Where Lilacs Still Bloom

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Jane Kirkpatrick

Narrator: Kimberly Farr, Susan Denaker

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-17-12

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 16 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

One woman, an impossible dream, and the faith it took to see it through: German immigrant and farm wife Hulda Klager possesses only an eighth-grade education - and a burning desire to create something beautiful. What begins as a hobby to create an easy-peeling apple for her pies becomes Huldas driving purpose: a time-consuming interest in plant hybridization that puts her at odds with family and community, as she challenges the early-twentieth-century expectations for a simple housewife.

Through the years, seasonal floods continually threaten to erase her Woodland, Washington garden and a series of family tragedies cause even Hulda to question her focus. In a time of practicality, can one persons simple gifts of beauty make a difference?

Based on the life of Hulda Klager, Where Lilacs Still Bloom is a story of triumph over an impossible dream and the power of a generous heart.

Beauty mattersit does. God gave us flowers for a reason. Flowers remind us to put away fear, to stop our rushing and running and worrying about this and that, and for a moment, have a piece of paradise right here on earth.

Members Reviews:

Amazing Book!

This book touched my heart. I have been to Hulda Klagers home and gardens a few times as I live here in Washington and drive pass her home many times on my travels to Oregon and California. I have bought a couple Lilac Trees on these visits. I just so happened to come across this book by accident as I love historical novels. I was so surprised to see a book written about a place that I love to visit so much. I knew I had to listen to this book!!. It was fantastic! The narration was perfect. Hulda was an amazing woman. So strong. I wantvto know so much about her now. I highly reccomend this book for audible. Very, very good!

Made me want to find that 12 petal Lilac!

I liked this book very much- truth rang in the chronicles of the tragedies and triumphs of real-person Hulda Klager- but when I tried to look up some of the breeds- especially the breed the author wrote was saved by seeds given away and returned after the last flood, they weren't available. Which takes some of the meaning out of the book. When you have to reassess a work and figure out what facts are true and what aren't- it is deflating. At least for me. I do not mind historical fiction that invents conversations The author could not have overheard, but when you are writing about a subject that continues to this day as the Klager Lilac Days do- it would've been nice if the flower stories had remained intact.

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Title: A Corruptible Crown

Author: Gillian Bradshaw

Narrator: Patricia Gallimore

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-05-12

Publisher: Soundings

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It is 1648, and the Civil War, which an exhausted nation had believed over, has been resurrected by a king still determined to be an absolute ruler, and a parliament unable to agree how to govern without him. Blacksmith Jamie Hudson is weary and disillusioned but faces prison if he refuses to re-enlist in the army, and so he is hauled ruthlessly around England as the blood continues to flow.

Meanwhile, Jamies wife, Lucy, is struggling to survive as a lone woman in London, while working to support the Leveller demands for democracy and freedom. As their lives carry them apart, the two hope desperately for a peace that will finally allow them to be together again.

Members Reviews:

Engaging, entertaining and educational

Would you consider the audio edition of A Corruptible Crown to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version. What kind of stupid question is this?

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoy historical fiction although a lot of it goes too far into romantic fiction or dramatic fiction. While this has some romance and plenty of drama it's really about normal people dealing with war situations. I knew nothing about the British Civil War so this was an added benefit.

Have you listened to any of Patricia Gallimores other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not but she's an excellent narrator and I'd happily listen to another.

Solid historical detail and a good story, too!

What did you love best about A Corruptible Crown?

The historical detail and the characters were wonderfully realized; the narrator was very good, managing distinct voices for the different people without being distracting, or relying too heavily on different accents.

Have you listened to any of Patricia Gallimores other performances before? How does this one compare?

She also narrated the first book in this series, London in Chains, which was also excellent (both the story and the performance).

Any additional comments?

I love historical fiction, and Gillian Bradshaw is one of my favorite authors. I wish Audible had performances of all her books!

Enjoyable and educational

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed learning more about English history in this book, and I wanted to learn more. The story was engrossing, and it was fascinating to learn about how ordinary people lived in those historic times.

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Title: The Flowers of War

Author: Geling Yan, Nicky Harman (translator)

Narrator: Samantha Quan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-07-12

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Here is the powerful Chinese novel about love and war on which Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) has based his latest film, starring Christian Bale, to be released in 2012.

This moving short novel is based on true events that took place during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, when the Japanese invaded the Chinese city, slaughtering not only soldiers but raping and murdering the civilian population as well. It tells the story of an American missionary who, for a few terrifying days, finds himself sheltering a group of schoolgirls, prostitutes, and wounded Chinese soldiers in the compound of his church.

American priest Father Engelmann is one of the small group of Westerners who have remained in Nanjing, despite the approach of the Japanese. America is not yet in the war and so his church compound is supposedly neutral territory. However, his confidence in his ability to look after the Chinese schoolgirls left in his care is shaken when 13 prostitutes from the floating brothel on the nearby Yangtze River climb over the compound wall and demand to be hidden. The situation becomes even more intense when some wounded Chinese soldiers appear.

Meanwhile, Engelmann is becoming increasingly aware of the barbaric behaviour of the Japanese outside the compound walls. It is only a matter of time before they knock on the door and find the people he is protecting.

Like Irène Némirovsky's Suite Française, this poignant audiobook looks at the effect upon individuals of large-scale war and tragedy. The characters are beautifully observed. From the naive schoolgirls, the brazen prostitutes, and the frightened soldiers to the slightly priggish priest and his resentful Chinese entourage. As the Japanese circle ever closer, the barriers of hatred and prejudice that separate the characters dissolve, and they perform unexpected and moving acts of heroism.

Geling Yan, an important Chinese writer, reveals herself to be a master of detail and emotion in this novel. She recreates history as if it is unfolding before our eyes, and writes characters that are so engaging and so rich that we believe in them entirely. This is a novel full of humanity - at its worst and at its best - and a fascinating insight into 1930s China.

Members Reviews:

The flowers of war

Possible, in my humble opinion only, one of the best books I have ever read.

Well Worth Remembering and Reading

What did you love best about The Flowers of War?

The story skirts around the worst of the atrocities of the Rape of Nanking yet while making only glancing note of the western heroes of the event like John Rabe and Minnie Vautrin, it captures the essence of fear and terror in the Chinese people who had to cope with out of control Japanese soldiers.

What did you like best about this story?

Zhang Yimou is noted as a director who can convey visually the essence of Chineseness to a western audience.

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Title: The First Elizabeth

Author: Carolly Erickson

Narrator: Nelson Runger

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-23-12

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 25 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Elizabeth was not just Queen, she was ruler. In an age of male supremacy she, by sheer force of character, became not only the unchallenged leader of the English but also the first leader of an empire upon which the sun never set. Ericksons biography tells the truth about this extraordinary woman and profiles some amazing people - their personalities and culture.

Members Reviews:

Somewhat Spoiled by Narration

Any additional comments?

This was a good historical yarn with Erickson creating a rich tapestry of the world of Elizabeth I. It was not quite as good as the previous historical narrrative of hers that I had listened to (which was about the life of Henry the 8th), but a worthy listen nonetheless. The narrator was the same in both cases and I thought he was generally very good. BUT, unfortunately in this case I was somewhat put off by the frequent noisy (and moist) swallowing sounds caught in the recording. This was no fault of the narrator (we all produce saliver and swallow regularly) but of the sound engineer (or equipment) I think, as I have never experienced this on any audiobook I have listened to before and I found it a very unpleasant distraction from an otherwise quite good novel.

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Title: Sea of Poppies

Author: Amitav Ghosh

Narrator: Kish Sharma

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 01-12-12

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

At the heart of this epic saga, set just before the Opium Wars, is an old slaving-ship, The Ibis. Its destiny is a tumultuous voyage across the Indian Ocean, its crew a motley array of sailors and stowaways, coolies and convicts.

In a time of colonial upheaval, fate has thrown together a truly diverse cast of Indians and Westerners, from a bankrupt Raja to a widowed villager, from an evangelical English opium trader to a mulatto American freedman. As their old family ties are washed away they, like their historical counterparts, come to view themselves as jahaj-bhais or ship-brothers. An unlikely dynasty is born, which will span continents, races and generations.

The vast sweep of this historical adventure spans the lush poppy fields of the Ganges, the rolling high seas, and the exotic backstreets of China. But it is the panorama of characters, whose diaspora encapsulates the vexed colonial history of the East itself, which makes Sea of Poppies so breathtakingly alive - a masterpiece from one of the world's finest novelists.

Members Reviews:

Overly melodramatic

I never really got into this book and was just impatient for it to finish. Not sure Ill bother with the next two - if it was not so long winded, I feel this would be just another sickly sweet romance novel. The narration was interesting - excellent voices but the delivery of the narration was flat and dull. There were no pauses between many of the different sections, making it confusing to follow at times.

Excellent story, gripping narration

Amitav Ghosh recreates the colonial world with its conflicting ethos and turbulent commerce in a clash of destinies which converge on a schooner. Narrated with excellent voice modulations at a tight pace.

Wonderful listen 4 a fast ear

Would you consider the audio edition of Sea of Poppies to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the print

What did you like best about this story?

The flow and the life-like description of the characters

What about Kish Sharmas performance did you like?

The characters' accents

Any additional comments?

Kish at times read too fast to follow.

good beginning gradually decays to nonsense

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Well it's not clear if the recording process was faulty or whether the story actually concludes with the lifeboat leaving in a storm with several main characters on board while several other main characters remain on the ship in various states of unresolved dubious action, but it could have got to maybe 2.5 stars if all this was concluded in some way.

What could Amitav Ghosh have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Make the author sit down and do a serious self critique of his work, modify his objectives in favour of producing a cohesive plausible narrative with consistent characterization, and give it more time, more thought and much hard work rewriting and condensing.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Kish Sharma?

Yes the narration was very good considering the overblown nonsense that the book gradually decended to, and the narrator probably can't be blamed for overdoing it somewhat.

You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The commencement of the book was excellent The early development of the characters and their origins and the narrative was fine up to maybe one third of the way through. The ingredients were there for a great novel, if only it had continued in that way.

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Title: The Tale of Castle Cottage

Subtitle: Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, Book 8

Author: Susan Wittig Albert

Narrator: Virginia Leishman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-30-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 57 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Agatha and Anthony Award nominee Susan Wittig Albert has garnered popular and critical acclaim for her whimsical mysteries based on the life and times of Beatrix Potter. Set in the summertime splendor of 1913 England, this eighth tale finds Beatrix eager to marry her fiancé, solicitor William Heelis. But a few obstacles are still blocking the happy couples path to the altar - like the troubled remodeling of Castle Cottage, Will and Beatrixs future home.

Members Reviews:

A Treasure

If you could sum up The Tale of Castle Cottage in three words, what would they be?

Perfect delightful Treat

What did you like best about this story?

The author is masterful storyteller and has breathed life into Beatrix Potter, woman artist and author.

Have you listened to any of Virginia Leishmans other performances before? How does this one compare?

never. she is a force for quality entertainment.

If you could rename The Tale of Castle Cottage, what would you call it?

Oh I wish this book would never end.

Delightful!

I find nothing to dislike about Miss Albert's book. The elements of mystery captured my interest. The animals' conversations and activities frequently tickled my funny bone, and I love the fascinating information about the history and culture of the British Empire so effectively woven into the story. Most of all, though, I loved the relationships among the characters. I highly recommend this and all the Cottage Tale books.

nicely presented finale for the series

This(I believe) is the final book in the Cottage Tales series. This is much like the earlier ones, but we finally see some resolution for Ms Potter. The reading was very good. The book is on par with the others in the series, except that it felt like the character development in this episode was a bit sparse.

Like Potato Chips: Bet You Can't Have Just One!!!

As most reviewers, I was sorry to see this series come to an end. Susan Wittig Albert did an excellent job crafting these stories of of the life of Beatrix Potter, blending real events from Ms. Potter's life into the charming mystery tales of Near and Far Sawrey in England's Lake District.

The animals -- farm, wild and fantasy -- are a big part of each Cottage Tale. For the most part I enjoyed that perspective, but there were a couple of times that we seemed to be spending more time with the animals than we were with the people.

Virginia Leishman does an excellent job with the narration. I've looked for other books she has narrated and there are several I will be adding to my library.

Save up your credits! After you listen to Book 1, The Tale of Hilltop Farm, you're going to want the next Tale and the next and the next...

The Last One :(

I have really enjoyed this entire series. It has encouraged me to read more about Beatrix Potter, more about land conservation in England, and more about Heardwick sheep. I feel that I have become friends with everyone (animals and people) in the village and will really miss hearing about them. The mysteries are clearly secondary but they are fun and light. Making sure that Mr. Healis and Miss Potter ended up together and how it happened was much more important. I really cared about the characters. It is hard to believe that the series is over and I am finished with it.

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Title: Come a Little Closer

Author: Dorothy Garlock

Narrator: Susan Boyce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-23-11

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

America's Heartland, 1946. World War II has ended, and everyone is pursuing peacetime's bright promise with fresh energy and hope. Newly-arrived in a small Wisconsin town, Christina Tucker now dares to chase her long-cherished dreams: put her wartime nursing skills to use and reconnect with country life. But helping a shell-shocked veteran recover soon tests her determination and disturbs town memories best left buried. She has no choice but to turn to her patient's seemingly-irresponsible brother, Tyler Sutter. A restless ex-soldier, Tyler can't believe this pretty ladylike nurse can heal his family. Yet as Christina begins to understand Tyler's own fears, the two grow close, then closer still-as a terrible secret sparks one man's violent, vengeful spree. With both the guilty and innocent alike in harm's way, Tyler and Christina must face all their fears... or never live to see the future.

Critic Reviews:

"There is nothing better than Dorothy Garlock at her best."

Members Reviews:

Always love a Garlock story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Would recommend any of Dorothy Garlock's novels to any lover of Americana.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Come a Little Closer?

The depiction of the doctor's morphine addiction true to life for the time period immediately after the great World Wars.

Have you listened to any of Susan Boyce???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Do not know if I have heard any of this narrator's other works.

Any additional comments?

Love all Dorothy Garlock books.