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

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Titel: Der Name der Rose

Autor:: Umberto Eco

Erzähler: Rolf Boysen, Ernst Jacobi, Markus Boysen

Format: Unabridged

Spieldauer: 5 hrs and 31 mins

Sprache: Deutsch

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 01-15-08

Herausgeber: Der Hörverlag

Bewertung: 5 von 5 von 1 Stimmen

Kategorien: Fiction, Historical

Zusammenfassung des Herausgebers:

Ein Mord erschüttert die Gemäuer des altehrwürdigen, weltberühmten Benediktinerklosters. Bruder William aus dem fernen Baskerville wird vom Abt mit der diskreten Klärung des Verbrechens beauftragt. Doch kaum beginnt William in den Katakomben zu ermitteln, wird der zweite Mönch tot gefunden.

Umberto Eco, weltweit gefeierter Bestsellerautor, gelang mit "Der Name der Rose" ein Meisterstück: ein packender Thriller aus dem 14. Jahrhundert. In der Hörspielbearbeitung von Richard Hey und unter der Regie von Otto Düben sprechen Pinkas Braun, Rolf Boysen, Manfred Steffen und andere.

(P)1986 Produktion: Bayerischer Rundfunk/Südwestrundfunk/Norddeutscher Rundfunk 1986

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Title: The Open Door

Author: Beryl Matthews

Narrator: Annie Aldington

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-13-07

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

All her short life, 11-year-old Rose Webster has encountered closed doors. Growing up in the slums of London with her siblings, trying to avoid their violent, drunken father, she develops an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and becomes convinced that she and her loved ones deserve better. All Rose has is a quick mind and the will to survive. Can she open that door and seize the chance to make something of herself?

©2002 Beryl Matthews; (P)2003 Soundings

Members Reviews:

hard to put down read

found it slow in places but really enjoyed the story. I would recommend this book

Good reviews , did I miss something?

I found the story slow, and the narration was not an easy listen for me.

Not for me.

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Title: Firefly Summer

Author: Maeve Binchy

Narrator: Kate Binchy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 23 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-20-07

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 47 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

"Firefly Summer is warm, humorous, sad and happy. Reading it is a joy." (Irish Independent )

In the summer of 1962, an American millionaire arrives in a small, sleepy Irish town with far-reaching consequences.

For the children of the Ryan family, the long hot summers are usually spent playing in the ruins of a large, abandoned house. But when the American, Patrick O'Neill, buys the ruins, dreams are made and broken and secrets which should never be revealed are betrayed.

Firefly Summer tells interlocking stories of love lost and won during four fateful years in the life of a close-knit Irish community.

Critic Reviews:

"Totally engrossing.... Unforgettable.... An absolutely grand story.... A lyrical and compelling family drama.... Mountfern and its residents come vibrantly alive." (The Plain Dealer)

"The secrets hidden behind lace curtains, a young girl's first kiss, children's summer games, unexpected pregnancies, sudden deaths. She makes us feel as if we also know the place and the people.... One of those good, old-fashioned stories that are as comfortable and comforting as home itself." (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Members Reviews:

Inviting

Maeve Binchy pulled me right in from the opening paragraph. I couldn't help but feel that the characters were my own neighbours and friends. It was a delightful story and one which I would highly recommend.

Outstanding

Would you consider the audio edition of Firefly Summer to be better than the print version?

Had not read print version

What other book might you compare Firefly Summer to and why?

Any Maeve story or Cathy Kelly or Erica James

Which character as performed by Kate Binchy was your favorite?

Eddy such a loveable character

Who was the most memorable character of Firefly Summer and why?

So many to choose from. They were all very intricate and each character had a great story to tell.

Any additional comments?

Loved the long story and feel very sad I've finished. I shall miss the whole of The Irish country town.

Not up to her standards

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The story wasn't exciting and there were too many characters

Would you be willing to try another book from Maeve Binchy? Why or why not?

I have listened to most of her books, but this one was disappointing.

What about Kate Binchys performance did you like?

She does a good job in changing her voice for the various characters.

Do you think Firefly Summer needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No please.

very poor quality audio--read far to fast

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator spoke far too quickly, mumbled, used irritating voices especially for the children. I couldn't listen at all.

Kate Binchy Is A Natural

Firefly Summer is one of those books that just takes me away. I am a huge Maeve Binchy Fan because I always feel like I am one of the gang. Kate Binchy's narration is nothing short of wonderful. I felt like closing my eyes and riding the wave.

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Title: My French Whore

Author: Gene Wilder

Narrator: Scott Brick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-20-07

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 67 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

As the urbane and accomplished spy Harry Stroller, Peachy has access to a world he never knew existed - a world of sumptuous living, world-weary men, and available women. But when one of those women, Annie, a young, beautiful, and wary courtesan, turns out to be more than she seems, Peachy's life is transformed forever.

Critic Reviews:

"Touching." (Publishers Weekly) "Gene Wilder has written a remarkable period piece. It's an elegantly woven story of intrigue, danger, sex, and comedy, but for me the big surprise is that it's a truly moving and eloquent love story." (Mel Brooks)

Members Reviews:

I fell in Love Over My Ears...

The author is an actor and writer, but most people think of him as an actor, and an actor that plays in the not so serious roles. Do not expect that here, for this is a very serious book indeed, and a very good book.

In the first half of the last century writers like Hemingway and the Parisian Ex-pat's brought to life a style of writing that dwelt in the heart, and the essence of what motivates and shapes the decisions of the characters and their moral choices. Words like honor and ethics and the romantic meant something more than they mean today. This book so perfectly captures that style and the very nature of the era that it almost makes me wonder if the author's career as an actor was a terrible and tragic mistake, because had he spent that time writing I have no doubt that he would stand shoulder to shoulder with Hemingway and Faulkner in the minds of those who read for the love of reading.

I cried and I laughed and I cringed, I giggled and I frowned, and I was quickly thrust into the story with very little sense of transition. I believed.

The author paints a background that though it is sparse in detail so richly builds a picture in the mind that after putting the book away I am forced to wonder how he did that? In the second listen, I realized that somehow my mind created details that are only hinted at, and that is the mark of the true art in writing.

I cannot really do justice to this book in a mere 2000 characters, so I will not try. What I will do instead is say this: You must listen to this book, becuase to not experience it would be one more thing to add to the list of regrets one carries through life.

It's Fantastic

I first read about this novel in the pages of the late (as in deceased, unfortunately) American Heritage magazine. I was intrigued enough by the review and by Wilder's comments that I thought I would give it a try. I am so glad I did. In a beautifully crafted, tight narrative, Wilder weaves a tale that is spellbinding. I admit to being a little skeptical (Willy Wonka has written a novel?)--but I'm glad I took chance. You will too. The only disappointment was the brevity of the novel-- I just didn't want it to end!!

Without question, this was one of the most enjoyable audio books I've ever listened to.

A masterpiece

Although the book is short, the complex characters and plot make it beautifully poignant. The ending to this love story, which in different hands would have been tragic, is inspiring and deeply satisfying. I highly recommend it, and now plan to read all of Gene Wilder's novels. They couldn't be anything but masterful.

Great story!

Love this excellent book by the wonderful Gene Wilder and the narration by Scott Brick was excellent. The story moved along well and was very entertaining.

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Title: The Twenty-seventh Man

Subtitle: A Short Story from 'For the Relief of Unbearable Urges'

Author: Nathan Englander

Narrator: Paul Michael

Format: Abridged

Length: 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-15-07

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In this short story from Nathan Englander's collection For the Relief of Unbearable Urges, a clerical error lands earnest, unpublished Pinchas Pelovits in prison with 26 other writers.

Want more Relief? Download other stories from

.

©1999 Nathan Englander; (P)2007 Random House Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"Englander's voice is distinctly his own: daring, funny and exuberant." (The New York Times)

"Taut, edgy, sharply observed....A revelation of the human condition." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Remarkable art....The author fills each of these pieces with vivid life, with characters that jump off the page." (Newsday)

Members Reviews:

THE GREAT NATHAN ENGLANDER

EVERYTHING Englander writes is enthralling!!! hope he is working on something new right now!!! Had the good fortune to also see the play at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego - UNFORGETABLE!!!!

A Unique Story

Poignant, well written and sad.

The play was powerful. After reading the script I ...

The play was powerful. After reading the script I understood why. Every word counts, every word says something important. Seeing the play and reading the script taught me a lot about writing at a moment when I am working on my own script.

Nathan Englander, one of our best living writers.

So beautifully written. Nathan Englander brings the reader into the room where the events are happening. Emotionally exquisite.

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Title: Alexander

Subtitle: The Sands of Ammon

Author: Valerio Massimo Manfredi

Narrator: Derek Jacobi

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-06-07

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

But there is much danger ahead. Despite the defeat of Darius, the Island City of Tyre and the Towers of Gaza prove to be formidable obstacles. Undeterred, Alexander surges forth over land and sea to the mysterious land of Egypt. And there, in the sands, lies the Oracle of Ammon, waiting to reveal an amazing truth to Alexander - one that will change his already amazing life.

Members Reviews:

Great Narrative by Derek Jacobi

I'm amazed by the story telling of this great narrator. Highly enjoyed it.

Thank you

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Title: The Castle in the Forest

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Norman Mailer

Narrator: Harris Yulin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-05-07

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 140 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The narrator, a mysterious SS man who is later revealed to be an exceptional presence, follows the young Adolf from birth through his adolescence. En route, revealing portraits are offered of Hitler's father and mother, sisters, and brothers.

A tapestry of unforgettable characters, The Castle in the Forest delivers its myriad twists and surprises with astonishing insight into the nature of the struggle between good and evil that exists in us all. At its core is a hypothesis that is employed with stunning originality. Norman Mailer may well be saying more than he ever has before.

Critic Reviews:

"Mailer arrives at a somber, compelling portrait of a monstrous soul." (Publishers Weekly)

"This remarkable novel about the young Adolf Hitler, his family and their shifting circumstances, is Mailer's most perfect apprehension of the absolutely alien. No wonder it is narrated by a devil. Mailer doesn't inhabit these historical figures so much as possess them." (The New York Times Book Review)

Members Reviews:

Compelling

I have always loved Norman Mailer from his first novel, The Naked and the Dead, up to and including his recent effort, The Castle in the Forest.

This forensic psychological portrait of Hitler is both deeply disturbing and highly compelling, and I find myself looking forward to a quiet moment of the day when I can sit back enjoy some time with Mailer's extraodinary prose.

I'm a big fan of the printed word and I never thought I would choose an audio book of Mailer's work to listen to. Some of his phrases are so delicious, I like to re-read and savor them again and again. Perhaps I will buy a copy of the book to keep, too, but the narrator's voice on this is so wonderful I almost forget where I am. It is deep and resonant with diabolical mockery: Just listen to his charcterization of Himmler if you want a few goosebumps with your prose.

All and all a wonderful audiobook on all accounts. Mailer is at the peak of his powers as a novelist and the choice of narrator is perfect. You absolutely must get this!

Worthy of Mailer

I was at first unimpressed and felt that the device of devils and angels was a bit clunky, but Mailer won me over. I find it, as I near the end, to be a very powerful work. The prose, at first, seem weak by Mailer's normal standards--the tone has hints of a mid-twentieth century English translation of Thomas Mann. I realized a quarter of the way through that this was certainly a choice. And a good one. The cumulative effects of the prose were stunning. As is the portrait of humanity that emerges. And the portrait of Hitler! To see and begin to comprehend the forces that molded so awful, so powerful an individual is a bit of insight that I truly appreciate.

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Title: Trade Wind

Author: M.M. Kaye

Narrator: Rosemary Davis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 29 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-30-06

Publisher: Oakhill Publishing Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 113 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The year is 1859 and Hero Hollis, beautiful and headstrong niece of the American consul, arrives in Zanzibar. It is an earthly paradise; it is also the last outpost of the Slave Trade. A passionate opponent of slavery, Hero is swept into a turmoil of royal intrigue, abduction, piracy, smuggling, and a virulent cholera epidemic. There in Zanzibar, the most cruelly beautiful island of the Southern Seas, she must choose her love and unravel her destiny.

©1963, 1981 M.M. Kaye; (P)2006 Oakhill Publishing Ltd

Critic Reviews:

"Strong narrative...telling descriptions." (Birmingham Post)

"A wealth of incident against a fascinating background...a beautiful, almost lyrical style of writing." (Liverppol Daily Post)

"Frangipani, jasmine, and cloves...palace intrigues...slave trades, cholera, pirates, and storms at sea...a huge book." (Guardian)

Members Reviews:

Response to reviews

I looked at this book for some time trying to decide if it was something I wanted to hear. Finally I read the customer reviews.

The first thing that struck me was the customer who said he/she didn't like the narrator. I was surprised after hearing the sample. Now that I'm listening to the book I think I sort of understand why. I think she's very good but somehow her style doesn't quite match the writing style. She's certainly not hurting the book and I'm glad she's doing it, but there is something that's just not quite right at times. She pauses in the wrong places and doesn't pause when one is needed. That's a small thing and it's not bothering me much. I probably wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't been looking for something after that review.

But the review that convinced me to listen to the book was from Mary, who insisted that being historical does not a historical novel make; at least not without gritty sex scenes. I wonder what kind of history books they had in her school. "When Debbie Did Dallas", perhaps? :)

At first that review made me angry. I've been listening to and enjoying an occasional historical novel since the 1950's. Some of my very favorite books are historical novels. Books such as "The Egyptian", "The Robe", "Spirit Lake", the books of Kenneth Roberts, etc. These are fine and worthy books. So I found it insulting to one of my enjoyed genres to have them confused with porn.

Well, I calmed down and now that seems pretty silly. I'm sure Mary is a very nice person who, with a little exposure to literature would come to undersatand the difference in porn and historical novels.

So thank you, Mary. You've taught me a little something. And you've done me another favor as well. Because of you I've begun listening to "Trade Winds" and enjoying it. It's not at all what I expected but so far it's excellent. I'm not far enough along to know it's going to turn out well but I have a very good feeling about it.

Barry

Very Interesting Read!

Very interesting story with just enough romance (well, perhaps I could have used a little more!)This author does a great job with bringing in historical facts and creating a fictional story around them. I have a whole new outlook on the pestilence and plagues that swept through Africa in the late 1800's.

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Title: The Tailor's Daughter

Author: Janice Graham

Narrator: Traci Svendsgaard

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 10-31-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 19 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When a fever leaves her deaf at the age of 16, shattering her hopes of marriage, Veda Grenfell turns her exceptional talent to her father's prestigious Savile Row tailoring firm. She matures into a woman of eye-catching beauty, but it is her indomitable spirit that earns her the admiration of Harry Breadalbane, heir to an earldom. But when passion turns to betrayal, Veda abandons her beloved Savile Row and sets off on a treacherous journey into a world of deception, murder, and madness.

Critic Reviews:

"Engrossing." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Atrocious reading of a silly book

Don't do it. Don't waste your time or money on this book. The story falters and the audio production is the worst casting I have encountered in a lifetime of listening to audiobooks.

At least once every 10 minutes I'd discover I wasn't listening to the story any more. Instead, my mind had drifted the recording studio when they were taping. Rather than envisioning the action of the novel, I was picturing the production team. Who's decision was it to cast an American reader for a book set in Victorian England? Both the time and location of the book seemed utterly lost on her. (In her defense...the author didn't seem to have much of a sense of the period, either.)

But what was the producer doing? --texting his girlfriend? working Sudoku? browsing ebay? - that he couldn't throw the reader a lifeline and find out the correct pronunciations of words she mangled? (My favorite was "Chancellor of the Exchequer.") She mispronounced something at least once every 15 minutes. I mean, c'mon, guys-- online dictionaries have pronunciation guides, even audio links to someone saying the word right.

Maybe they thought the suspense over what she would misprounce next would liven up the pace of an otherwise inane store. I will say this in the author's defense: she wove that combined elements I'd never encountered before (a deaf girl in the world of Victorian fashion? That's new, that's interesting...) and yet still she made the plot predictable and the characters stereotypical and utterly superficial.

I did listen to the entire thing, but it was simply that it was an Audible trainwreck and I couldn't seem to break away from it.

A lame book, made virtually unendurable by its reader. Save your money.

The Tailor's Daughter

Long and very boring

Interesting and Enjoyable

This story gave me insight to a life never imagined: tradespeople vs. aristocracy, hearing vs. deaf, men vs. women; all in an era of the mid-1800's England.

The author takes great pains to compare the life of this young woman as a deaf person as compared to a hearing one. Granted this main theme is important, but she doesn't need to say it so often. Regardless, it is fascinating to think of how far we have come in our treatment of disabilities.

The narrator Traci Svendsgaard does a marvelous job of differentiating the voices. Some of the women sound a little squeaky and sickenly sweet, but truly it does not interfere with the tale.

This is an "antigue" version of Pretty Woman (almost) and definitely has a fairy tale ending. But the hard discussions are not overlooked. Conflicts are not hidden, but all come out blissfully happy.

I imagined many different directions the story could have gone, and the author went to none of my imaginations (thankfully).

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Title: Fallen

Author: David Maine

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 12-13-05

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 95 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Once expelled from the Garden, Adam and Eve had to find their way past recriminations and bitterness to build a new life in a harsh land.

In Fallen, David Maine has drawn a convincing, enthralling portrait of a family driven (and riven) by familiar passions and jealousies. The result is a staggering achievement and intimate, hilarious, and utterly original telling of temptation and murder, and of exile and loss.

Critic Reviews:

"What makes this intelligent, funny, meaty, and moving novel so fascinating is the ease with which Maine inserts a modern sensibility and keen psychological analysis even as he jumps back and forth between the timelines of the two narratives and remains faithful to their biblical roots." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Remarkable!

I bought this book on a whim and was amazed at how quickly I was invested in it. The storytelling was unique and wonderful, and at the heart of the story is so much insight to the universal human experience that I felt myself unable to disconnect from the story.

Wonderful. Truly wonderful.

Disappoints

The format was very interesting (starting from the end chapter)....but the book was very weak. The author has an ability to descibe the scenes well, but fails to develope the characters.

simply wonderful!

I have enjoyed this book as much as any I have read, or listened to. The author fills in the missing pieces of the biblical tale of the fall. The chapters of the book flow from end to beginning, nevertheless there are surprises. It is not so much what happens, but how things happen that is so fascinating.

But on another level, the book deals with the eternal questions mankind has struggled to answer. These existential questions are brilliantly handled. It is as good a theology text as it is a wonderful novel.

Terrific narrator, a wonderful listen. I plan to listen again.

Really interesting!!

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was surprising, refreshing and entertaining. It tells the story of Caine, Able, Adam, and Eve from Caines death backwards to the expulsion from paradise. You get a part of the story from each character, which is cool. They all seem very human, which is wonderful based on the legendary enigmas they are in our culture today. I would definately listen to other books by this author. The narration was excellent, as well.

Could have been better

Like others, I bought this title on a whim, and found myself a bit dissapointed. While the format of reverse chonology was interesting I found the writing rather superficial. The author seems to skim the surface of the aspects of the story he found less interesting. Delving more deeply only into the existential questions that interested him. I bought the book as part of Amazon's recent 100 for $10 sale - for that price it was mostly worth it.