Listen Legally to Best Full Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical Popular Authors

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Title: Sepharad

Author: Antonio Muñoz Molina

Narrator: David DeSantos

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-19-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

From one of Spain's most celebrated writers, an extraordinary, inspired book - at once fiction, history, and memoir - that draws on the Sephardic diaspora, the Holocaust, and Stalin's purges to tell a twentieth-century story.

Shifting seamlessly from the past to the present and following the routes of escape across countries and continents, Muoz Molina evokes people real and imagined who come together in a richly allusive pattern - from Eugenia Ginsburg to Grete Buber-Neumann, the one on a train to the gulag, the other heading toward - a Nazi concentration camp; from a shoemaker and a nun who become lovers in a small Spanish town to Primo Levi bound for Auschwitz.

From the well known to the virtually unknown - all of Molina's characters are voices of separation, nostalgia, love, and endless waiting.

Written with clarity of vision and passion, in a style both lyrical and accessible, Sepharad makes the experience our own.

Members Reviews:

Excellent performance

What did you love best about Sepharad?

In fact, this book may be more appropriate for reading on the page. The impressionistic, meditative narrative is hard to follow in audio. But... I loved the narrator! He voiced the poetic, meandering mood of the book perfectly. Besides, I enjoyed having a book translated from Spanish read by a narrator with a Spanish accent.

What did you like best about this story?

Just beautiful. (Though certainly not a book for people who expect fast-paced action!)

Have you listened to any of David DeSantoss other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is first time I heard DeSantos. He is a great match for this book.

If you could rename Sepharad, what would you call it?

Why rename? True, the title may raise the expectation that this book is about Jewish Spain, which it isn't. But I like having my expectations overturned.

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Title: The Astronomer

Subtitle: A Novel of Suspense

Author: Lawrence Goldstone

Narrator: Robert Vaughn

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 114 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Paris, 1534. A student at the Catholic Collge de Montaigu, serving as a courier for the Inquisition, is murdered by members of an extreme Lutheran sect for the packet of letters he is carrying. His friend and fellow classmate, Amaury de Faverges, the illegitimate son of the Duke of Savoy and an expert in astronomy and natural science, is recruited as his replacement and promised a decree of legitimacy if he can uncover the secret that threatens to overturn Catholicism and the reign of Franois I.

Working undercover, Amaury journeys south to the liberal court of the king's sister, Marguerite of Navarre, the alleged heart of the conspiracy. The deeper he probes, the more Amaury is forced to confront his own religious doubts. And when he discovers a copy of Copernicus's shocking manuscript showing the sun at the center of the universe, he knows the path he must follow.

Replete with characters and events from history, from the iconoclastic Rabelais to the burning of heretics in Paris to preacher John Calvin and Copernicus himself, The Astronomer is a powerful novel of love and betrayal, and a thrilling portrait of what might well have happened at a hinge point in history when science and ancient religious belief collided.

Critic Reviews:

"Goldstone brings the sights, sounds, and furious politics of 16th-century France to vivid life." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

At the edge of change

The author's descriptions of the action occasionally kept me more engaged than the action itself in this historic thriller that puts a human face on what can happen when science runs afoul of dogma. The plot and characterizations sometimes charge forward with more enthusiasm that purpose, and not always in the same direction, leaving me to wonder if the author changed his mind about who the heroes and villains of the piece were. The story came together where it needed to go and covered a lot of historical and scientific ground getting there, so I'm looking forward to hearing more of Goldstone's work.

Robert Vaughn did a good job with narration -- I had no trouble understanding him, and he certainly puts fire into the action sequences.

Fascinating Inquisition Adventure

Beautifully written. After the first few minutes the hiss of what appeared to be the reader's dentures disappeared and I appreciated the drama he gave to the reading. Couldn't stop listening. Only drawback: I wish the author had gone into more detail because what he did cover was so fascinating, I would have loved to heard more of his exquisite portrayal of the medieval world.

Ripened "man from uncle" voice

Robert Vaughn's voice, disparaged by some other listeners, may be the best reason to listen to this investigative procedural set in the reformation. The reading is sinuous, knowing and beautifully paced, a very mature, sexy voice. I recommend it highly.

Narrator was completely unsuitable

Narrator was well-suited to the role of a mature older man, but his aged diction and peculiar pronunciation of certain consonants were completely unsuitable for anyone younger than 65, particularly female characters. Frankly, it was ludicrous.

Good Book, Not So Good Narration

This book has an interesting premise (Copernicus' great discovery against a backdrop of religious ferment) and attractive or suitably villainous protagonists.

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Title: The Miracle

Subtitle: Singing River, Book 3

Author: Gilbert Morris

Narrator: Judith West

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-04-10

Publisher: Zondervan

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 29 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In the midst of the Great Depression, 17-year-old Lanie Freeman hopes to keep her family together, become a writer, and find love. But an unexpected health crisis and a devastating town scandal leave the Freeman family reeling. Will their faith uphold them as they struggle to survive? Book Three of the Singing River saga.

Members Reviews:

it is a really well told story

this singing river series is one of Gilbert morris best i was lol in many ways the ending was good it did not leave one hanging but wondering it could end here and i could be satisfied but there are still many unresolved issues in the story that could mean a part 4? ill keep my ears open for it

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Title: The Goldsmith's Daughter

Subtitle: A Roger the Chapman Medieval Mystery

Author: Kate Sedley

Narrator: Peter Wickham

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-01-09

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 33 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

King Edward IV trembles as he decides the fate of his sibling. And Richard, Duke of Gloucester, tries to find a way to save George from being put to death by their eldest brother, the King.

So when the Duke sees his loyal servant Roger the Chapman at his trial, he recognises that he has a chance. If only the chapman-sleuth could prove that Isolda Bonifant, the daughter of a well-established London goldsmith, hadn't poisoned her husband.

If he could clear Isolda's name, then Edward's chief mistress - cousin of the accused Isolda - would be willing to do the wily Duke's bidding. But Roger the Chapman must act fast and, in this complex case, he can't simply rely on his intuition.

Members Reviews:

|Fun

If you enjoy Roger you will like this book. The plot is good and as always the characters are well drawn. The story doesn't stay with you but while you are listening it is a lovely ride.

Excellent!

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

I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves medievil stories!

What other book might you compare The Goldsmith's Daughter to and why?

None

What does Peter Wickham bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Peter Wickham brings the charactors to life for me. I was able to distiguish each person by his talented voice. I usually prefer dramatization of books, but this book really came to life, as if I were there watching it unfold.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, after all of the painstaking detective that went into solving the murder, the twist at the end knocked me off my feet! I was truly surprised!

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Title: The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein

Author: Peter Ackroyd

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 10-06-09

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 28 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

This haunting and atmospheric novel opens with a heated discussion, as Shelley challenges the conventionally religious Frankenstein to consider his atheistic notions of creation and life. Afterward, these concepts become an obsession for the young scientist.

As Victor begins conducting anatomical experiments to reanimate the dead, he at first uses corpses supplied by the coroner. But these specimens prove imperfect for Victor's purposes. Moving his makeshift laboratory to a deserted pottery factory in Limehouse, he makes contact with the Doomsday men - the resurrectionists - whose grisly methods put Frankenstein in great danger as he works feverishly to bring life to the terrifying creature that will bear his name for eternity.

Filled with literary lights of the day such as Bysshe Shelley, Godwin, Lord Byron, and Mary Shelley herself, and penned in period-perfect prose, The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein is sure to become a classic of the 21st century.

Critic Reviews:

"It takes a writer of considerable confidence, wit and skill to attempt a modern retelling of a bona fide English classic...[Ackroyd] is the man for the job.... terrifying and fascinating in equal measure.... An intelligent, creepily beautiful and haunted thing." (The Times, London)

Members Reviews:

Literary Monster

Nothing of the story here is too different if you know of the infamous night Percy Bysshe Shelley,Mary Shelly and others decided to have a "ghost story" contest.Out of that night came Mary Shelly's classic book "Frankenstein:Or the Modern Prohetmus".In this story Peter Ackroyd makes Dr.Frankenstein an contempory of the Shelly's and influences their lives with his experiments to reanimate life.Lots of other famous historical figures turn up alsoand add to the plot. The story moves briskly throughout several locations in Europe ,the mystery and chase of the story plays out well this way. I wasn't bored ever listening John Lee is perfect he does all his characters and accents well.I recommend this book it's not hard to listen to and it has good suspense.

Interesting fantasia

Peter Ackroyd pretty much rips up the original and pastes it back together again. It's an interesting fantasia that doesn't quite work, mostly because of the ending; I didn't feel as strongly about it as some people did, but the ending is VERY abrupt.

The book is the story of Victor Frankenstein and his monster transplanted to the England of Lord Byron and Percy Shelley. The rough outlines of the plot are still here, but Ackroyd fills in a lot of the details: where Mary Shelley coyly avoided describing the life-giving process Frankenstein developed, Ackroyd explains it all, chapter and verse.

It doesn't matter that much of the biography and history recorded here are inaccurate. It doesn't matter that bits of the novel are mixed in with doses of scientific nonsense. It's all in fun: it's a bit like "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" in that respect.

Ackroyd had me up to the last couple of pages. But I enjoyed the rest of it so much I can't bring myself to downgrade it too badly on that account. And John Lee's narration is as buoyant and energetic as always.

Rather Disappointing

After finishing this book, I'm still not sure what to make of it: it's either ingenious or a total mess.

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Title: Aurora Crossing

Subtitle: A Novel of the Nez Perces

Author: Karl Schlesier

Narrator: Jonathan Davis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-06-09

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In Aurora Crossing by best-selling author Karl H. Schlesier, a young man - an outsider by upbringing and ancestry - becomes embroiled in the Nez Perces War of 1877. His quest to find identity and belonging in the clash of cultures takes him on the historic 1,200-mile Nez Perces trek from Idaho toward refuge in Canada.

©2008 Karl H. Schlesier; (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews:

"A satisfying, ethnographically detailed coming-of-age novel." (Kirkus Reviews)

Members Reviews:

Well Done

Like the Trail of Tears and Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee, this is a little known story that needs to be heard by more Americans. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genre and the author does a good job telling this story from the perspective of a boy who becomes a man/warrior on the 1,200 mile journey of some 800 men women and children forced to flee their homes with over 1,000 U.S. Calvary troops in pursuit.

Though the author touches on the enormous physical suffering of these people during those months of forced travel, I think he could have done more through character development to search into the minds and hearts of the individual characters, that would have expressed the torturous agony of having one's home and entire way of life stolen by a government that repeatedly lied and broke promises in order to manipulate a fundamentally peaceful population of Native Americans.

I have read a few history books on the subject and found that the author was generally accurate on most accounts. In fact I found the epilogue to be one of the most intriguing parts of the book as he gave me some added knowledge as to what happened to the 100 or so people who escaped being captured on that tragic day.

I only have one nit picky complaint about the reader and that is his repeated mispronunciation of the work Lapwai (putting the accent on the 1st syllable instead of the second). All in all I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Nez Perce band or in Native American studies in general.

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. I listened to the beginning while fishing Idaho's Clearwater River and that was really extra fun.

If you enjoy learning about Native American history, this I a great book to get.

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Title: The Carousel Painter

Author: Judith Miller

Narrator: Rebecca Gallagher

Format: Abridged

Length: 8 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 09-01-09

Publisher: Oasis Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When Carrington Brouwer receives the enviable job of painting carousel horses for a factory in Ohio, she believes her future is secure. But after an expensive necklace disappears from the home where she's been staying, she's caught up in a search for the truth that puts her entire livelihood and her developing relationship with the factory manager at risk. Can she lead police to the real culprit before she loses everything?

Members Reviews:

Wonderful Read

If you could sum up The Carousel Painter in three words, what would they be?

Real Page Turner

What other book might you compare The Carousel Painter to and why?

None in a long time.

Which scene was your favorite?

When she talked to the wives on the street.

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

Yes

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Title: Summer at the Lake

Author: Andrew M. Greeley

Narrator: Dale Hull, Erika Leigh, Bill Weideman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-26-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The rich and prominent "Old House" families of Chicago banded together to protect their own - the driver, who was drunk, was the son of a local doctor. There was a cover-up and a vicious scandal. Leo left for the Korean War, and the three friends' summers at the lake were gone forever....

Until 30 years later, when Leo, still obsessed by the memory of Jane and the need to solve the mystery of what really happened that fateful summer, comes back to Chicago and back to the lake.

Jane is more beautiful than ever, but her life has been an unhappy one, trapped in a loveless marriage and haunted by the memory of Leo. She has returned to the lake to try to piece her life back together.

Disillusioned with the priesthood, Packy realizes he's in love with Jane, too. But as a best friend and confidant to Leo and Jane, he faces a difficult choice this summer: should he help his oldest friend win back the woman of his dreams or pursue what might be his own last chance for love?

Critic Reviews:

"It's a riveting story of love, crime, and scandal laced with the Roman Catholic orientation that is Greeley's forte." (

The Chattanooga Times)

Members Reviews:

Review

I had forgotten what great writer he is and would recommend him highly. Too bad he is no longer with us.

wonderful and interesting

I was referred to Greeley by my mother. The thought of a Catholic priest writing these type of stories intrigued me. I have to disagree with some of the other people writing reviews of this book. This book was a good read. I had a hard time putting it down. The plot involving both the love lost and mystery was very interesting. And, Greely's use of different narrators gives a good perspective on what everyone was thinking and feeling at the time. I feel that the switching of narrators and the flashbacks enhanced the story. As for Greely writing about love, why shouldn't a Catholic priest write about that sort of thing? Like the other reviewer, I was raised Catholic. However, unlike the other reviewer I praise Greely for writing about love and was not disgusted by it. Catholic priests are human too, and Packy's character gives a lot of insight into the fact that priests' experience the same emotions that the rest of us do! Keep up the good work Greeley!

A true waste of time, a horrid bore

When I read the reviews for Summer at the Lake, I expected a good mystery wrapped in a story of lost childhood love. I had never read Andrew Greeley before therefore did not realize he was a Catholic priest. I discovered this at the start of my read and it really did not matter at that time. However, as the pages turned, painfully I might add, I found it almost impossible to move forward through this story for these reasons... 1) It sickened me to know that a Catholic priest was writing of love, sex, and passion. I simply could not overcome this aweful feeling I had knowing that. But, if you were not raised Catholic as I was, you may not have this stigma imprinted on your mind about priests. 2) With the priest/sex thing aside, this story simply did not flow. Greeley wrote this book in a way that every two or so pages we had a new chapter, new year, and a new voice (ie Patrick then Leo then Jane then 1978 with Leo then 1948 with Leo then 1978 with Leo then Jane then Leo again all within the FIRST 40 PAGES!).

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Title: The Devil's Queen

Subtitle: A Novel of Catherine de Medici

Author: Jeanne Kalogridis

Narrator: Kate Reading

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-28-09

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In her latest historical fiction best seller, Jeanne Kalogridis tells the story of Caterina, a tender young girl, destined to be a pawn in Machiavellian games. Left a fabulously rich heiress, imprisoned and threatened by her family's enemies, she was finally married off to a handsome prince of France. Overshadowed by her husband's mistress, the conniving Diane de Poitiers, and now consort to a King, Catherine resorted to sorcery to win his love, enhance her fertility and foil her enemies. Against the lavish and decadent backdrop of the French court, and Catherine's visions induced by the black arts, Kalogoris reveals the great love and desire Catherine bore for her husband Henry, and her stark determination to keep her sons on the throne.

Members Reviews:

Catherine de Medici goes to great lengths to secure her future and that of her heirs

(3.5 stars) This historical fiction is about the life of Catherine de Medici. As a child, her astrological chart indicated a difficult and dangerous life. Throughout her life she is supported by the astrologer, Ruggieri who is willing to do anything to protect her, including the dark arts. Catherine survives political imprisonment in dire conditions until the tides turn and her supporters are back on top. But instead of ruling her beloved Florence, she is sent to marry Henri, a prince of France. She is challenged by Henri's lack of interest in her and her inability to produce an heir. When Henri acquires a mistress, Catherine steps up to secure her position within the royal family. As time moves forward she gains in her power, and we see the historic clashes between the Catholics and the Huguenots begin to come to a head, leading to tragedy. This was an interesting perspective on the historical period. In comparison to The Scarlet Contessa, this one had less bodice ripping and more mystical content.

The person behind the CROWN

I have always been a fan of women's historical fiction, so it was only natural that I would come across CATHERINE MEDICI !

This book was an EXCELLENT read, it starts with Catherine as a child & helps the reader understand "the person" behind the crown . Although she is referred to as tough , cold hearted in history books, this book gives her a sympathetic side.

Excellent Historical Fiction

The book was for me niece. She thought it was one of the best books she has read in a long time.

A Fascinating Glimpse of A Queen Who Was, Perhaps, Ahead Of Her Time

I have always had a fascination for he Medici and Borgia Families. I never thought that much had been written about them - especially about the Medicis - until recently when I discovered "The Devil's Queen: A Novel of Catherine DeMedici by Jeanne Kalogridis from Amazon that is available in hard back and an excellent audio CD version.

By all acounts, Catherine DeMedici was in fact a true Renaissance woman. Her interests led her to study astrology, as well as mathematics & philosophy; subjects that were by and large beyond the purvue The rumors have always been rampant that she practices the darker side of magical arts. This book accentuates her relationship with the magician Cosima Ruggieri - her alter ego in a way. A strange but serious relationship (platonic).

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Title: A Lady of Hidden Intent

Author: Tracie Peterson

Narrator: Aimee Lilly

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-23-09

Publisher: Oasis Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A life of privilege becomes only a distant memory when Catherine Newbury's father is falsely imprisoned and she is whisked away from her home in England to America. Forced to disguise her past and create a completely new life, Catherine takes on a servant's last name and carves out a tenuous future for herself as a seamstress. Soon her dress designs are sought throughout Philadelphia. When the dashing Carter Danby accompanies his mother and sister for a design consultation, Catherine suddenly encounters her past face-to-face. Is Carter's avid interest in her genuine...or does he, as she suspects, recognize her as the young lady he met while touring England? She cannot deny the attraction, but admitting her true identity may jeopardize her father's only hope for freedom. Will Catherine be forced to sacrifice her dreams of love?

Members Reviews:

Nice Story

I enjoyed this story. Thank you Tracie Peterson. I recommend it for those who enjoy spiritually based novels