Listen to Most Popular Audiobooks in Fiction, Contemporary

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Memory of Water

Author: Karen White

Narrator: Susanna Burney

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-15-09

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 172 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

After 10 years of silence between the sisters, Marnie is called back to the South Carolina Lowcountry by Diana's ex-husband, Quinn. His young son has returned from a sailing trip with his emotionally unstable mother, and he is refusing to speak. In order to help the traumatized boy, Marnie must re-open old wounds and bring the darkest memories of their past to the surface. And she must confront Diana, before they all go under.

Members Reviews:

The memory of water

Right from the very first few sentences I was drawn into this story,and it held me throughout.It was a very intense story,but handled with plenty of hope ,and by the last hour(chapter) I almost had to pull over I was so involved in what was happening.This was the second book I've read by this author(The Lost Hours)and I will definately be listening (reading)more.

did not believe these characters were southern

great story but the narrator's voice didn't match the characters. took me awhile to really get into it for that reason.

Struggled in the beginning....

but once I got past the first few chapters, I was not going to stop listening!! I love Karen White, so I knew I would love this story, and I was not disappointed!!

Maybe one day, Karen White could narrate a Karen White book...OMG...PURE JOY!!!

I don't know what happened here.

I love Karen White and I have read all of her books. I was saving "The Memory of Water" for those times when I couldn't find something to read or when I needed to spend a credit on something that I knew woud be a for sure would be great. This book is not it. The storyline was dry and boring. I could not like anybody in this story. The sisters really needed to never see each other and I did not like the "replacement" wife, mother. The narriator's voice wore on my nerves.

Was ok ......... slow start .....

I listened to this whole book. It's about two sisters who are apart for years and end up in the same town together. I will not listen again, it was a little slow, and I had trouble listening to the entire book. I do not regret the purchase, but prefer books that have a little more drama so-to-speak and books that keep me wanting to jump in the car to turn on my iPod asap!! I have thoroughly enjoyed all other Karen White books!

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Castaways

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Elin Hilderbrand

Narrator: Katie Hale

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-01-09

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 267 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life.

Members Reviews:

not impressed

I guess I have questions how people can call each other best friends when they are doing the spouse of someone they call a best friend. It was a struggle to keep engaged in the story but in the end I listened to the story just to find out whodunit. Sometimes the narrator seem engaged in the story but there were times she was monotone and sounding just as bored as the words she was reading.

The Castaways-Excellent Read

I loved this book and the narrator was really good as well, didn't get tired of her at all. She kept saying "Quay's" like k-ways where I come from that's said "Keys" I found myself yelling at my dashboard on the long commute home "Keys, it's Keys" but I'm not from Nantucket maybe that's how they say it there - all that aside, I really, really loved this book, great story, excellent characters - downloaded Barefoot right after. A Summer Affair was my first by this author and I didn't care for it but I'm glad I looked further and found this book

Fun listening

relaxing, addictive great listen. I didntjust listen in the car, I listened at home I really wanted to find out what happened next & I talked about the book to other people. Great book

Don't cast away this one

Though initially I had a hard time sorting out who was married to whom, I really enjoyed this book. Well written, good story line, good narration. I was concerned that (like many a good book) the ending would be disappointing, but I'm happy to say that the author finished as strong as she started. A good listen.

Loved It!

A great story about great friends and the many different shapes of friendships/bonds. A feel good read worth the time. With so many dark secrets, the author does well in unfolding them a little at a time. Every ball that was thrown into the air is acknowledged at some point later allowing the storyline to layer nicely. I appreciated the narration and hearing the story in each character's perspective. Worth listening to!

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Very Valentine

Author: Adriana Trigiani

Narrator: Cassandra Campbell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-03-09

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 395 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

In this luscious, contemporary family saga, the Angelini Shoe Company, makers of exquisite wedding shoes since 1903, is one of the last family-owned businesses in Greenwich Village. The company is on the verge of financial collapse. It falls to 33-year-old Valentine Roncalli, the talented and determined apprentice to her grandmother, the master artisan Teodora Angelini, to bring the family's old-world craftsmanship into the 21st century and save the company from ruin.

While juggling a budding romance with dashing chef Roman Falconi, her duty to her family, and a design challenge presented by a prestigious department store, Valentine returns to Italy with her grandmother to learn new techniques and seek one-of-a-kind materials for building a pair of glorious shoes to beat their rivals.

There, in Tuscany, Naples, and on the Isle of Capri, a family secret is revealed as Valentine discovers her artistic voice and much more, turning her life and the family business upside down in ways she never expected.

Very Valentine is a sumptuous treat, a journey of dreams fulfilled, a celebration of love and loss filled with Trigiani's trademark heart and humor.

Members Reviews:

Where is Luca?

I looked forward to the publicatin of this book and never paid any attention to the Publisher's summary. Maybe I am an old fogey, but being like Sex in the City is not an attraction to me. And maybe that is why this book was not one of the best I have read by this author.

I found the main characters family relations and love pssions erratic. How can she so adore her grandmother and so hate her brother? How can she be so one sided as a lover in America where the two of them are young and building their careers and then be so relaxed in Italy with another man?

My sense is the book was not a complete story because of it being part of a trilogy. Too many fillers had to added to make it "big enough" by itself, yet many critical pieces are withheld to save for the next parts.

I wish Adriana narrated this book

I couldn't wait to read Ms. Trigiani's latest book. I have read or listened to all of her books, and I prefer her voice to Ms. Campbell's. I found her voice monotonous and her Italian accents weak. I felt I was listening to a teenager.

The story was just ok. It seemed like I had to listen for a long time for very little to happen. I hope the next two are more action packed!

Too Much of a Cliche

The weird thing is I liked this book when I first started reading it. The first hour or so was fine. Then it just seemed to be devolve into another retelling of "life in the typical Italian-American family". And that was too bad. The plot and characters were worth learning more about. More than their ethnic background.

The only un-stereotypical thing about the book was that it wasn't about a crime family. But ... "hey, at least there aren't any mafioso in it" is hardly a ringing endorsement.

I am sure there are fascinating quirks about Italian-American families, or Irish-American or African-American, but there is also a lot of commonality. And I get tired of reading books that as soon as you know the ethnic background of the family of characters you can start writing the dialog yourself. But that probably doesn't bug me nearly as much as it bugs someone actually in that ethnic group.

Bella!

I LOVE this author and was very excited to have something new from her.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Rabbit Redux

Author: John Updike

Narrator: Arthur Morey

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-27-09

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 191 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The assumptions and obsessions that control our daily lives are explored in tantalizing detail by master novelist John Updike in this wise, witty, sexy story. Harry Angstrom - known to all as Rabbit, one of America's most famous literary characters - finds his dreary life shattered by the infidelity of his wife. How he resolves - or further complicates - his problems makes a compelling read.

©1996 John Updike; (P)2008 Random House

Members Reviews:

Bring on more Rabbit!

I became totally engrossed in this wonderful book.

It tells the story of Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom who's now in his late thirties and has long since stopped running away from his marriage and other responsibilities. He shirks responsibility in another kind of way by being passive about everything around him. When Rabbit's wife has an affair she challenges him to make a stand and fight to get her back. Not only does he fail her in this but he then gets mixed up in what turns out to be a disastrous chain of events. With his wife gone he agrees to take in a young run away who becomes his lover, and she in turn brings in Skeeter, her black radical, dope shooting friend. Rabbit finds himself in the middle of a chaotic world that collapses around him. But despite the sad turn of events, Rabbit is somewhat transformed by his experiences with Skeeter, hence the Latin title word "redux" meaning restored,and life for Rabbit goes on.

The characters (with the exception perhaps of the too political Skeeter) are very convincing, and Rabbit himself is such an ordinary man who could well be our own neighbor. Another part of Updike's brilliance lies in his perceptive analysis of emotional interactions and in the language that is so rich in astute detail.

The narrator also enriched the whole Rabbit experience by acting out the different characters with distinct voices and he really brought this audiobook to life in my mind's eye.

It's probably best to listen to this Rabbit series in the correct order starting with 'Rabbit, Run' if you want to understand the characters and their backgrounds fully. But it's not an absolute must - so if you fancy this one first, go for it. I just can't get enough of Rabbit and don't want the series to end!

Seamy Side of the Summer of Love

Rabbit Redux is compared unfavorably by the critics to the other Rabbit books. In my opinion, this is unfair. Updike's prose is uniformly smooth and rich. So apparently the critics don't like the content.

The book caputures the ethos of 1969--the peak and end of the Hippie Sixties. I was there. I was 12--the same age as Rabbit's son, Nelson. To me, that period was not the groovie barrel of fun Gen-X's think, rather it was often chaotic and terrifying. The world felt like it was going to heck in a handbag.

Updike caputures the zeitgeist. 18 year old rich girl Jill is the perfect rich hippie chick strung out on drugs. Nam vet Skeeter is a mix between a chicken hearted Black Panther and Charlie Manson, complete with pseudo-intellectual rants about how the Man is keeping the brothers down and needs to be shot.

Rabbit himself is a lazy whimp. He sees his world falling apart but would rather get stoned on Skeeter's pot.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Harvesting the Heart

Author: Jodi Picoult

Narrator: Cassandra Campbell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-08-09

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 536 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Written with astonishing clarity and evocative detail, convincing in its depiction of emotional pain, love, and vulnerability, Harvesting the Heart recalls the writing of Alice Hoffman and Sue Miller. Paige has only a few vivid memories of her mother, who left when she was five. Now, having left her father behind in Chicago for dreams of art school and marriage to an ambitious young doctor, she finds herself with a child of her own.

But her mother's absence, and shameful memories of her past, make her doubt both her maternal ability and her sense of self worth. Out of Paige's struggle to find wholeness, Jodi Picoult crafts an absorbing novel peopled by richly drawn characters and explores issues and emotions readers can relate to.

Members Reviews:

Trust all the bad reviews

Honestly, I love books by Jodi Picoult. I think she has amazing writing and they are classic page turners (even if people classify them as chick lit). Yet I listened to this whole book and couldn't get into it. It really was just 'drivel' as one reviewer said (which I initially ignored). The book didn't really go anywhere, have much plot, nor did it have a satisfying ending. Not worth the time compared to her other books.

Average Picoult book

This book was very well read by the reader and a classic 'page turner' by Picoult. I looked forward to listening to it each day on my daily walk. However, after having read numerous of Picoult's books, it was not my favorite. I found the two main characters to be rather narcissistic and unlikeable. It's not a book I will remember for long - just brain candy.

Hard to get through

I usually get through books very quickly but this one never had me running back to it. I had no sympathy for the main character, Paige. She was very weak and couldn't deal with any stress or difficulties. I just wanted to tell her to shut up already. Deal with it.

Great

Loved it...it was very enjoyable!!.....ready for the next book. And now ready for some suspense.

Not a favorite

Jodi Picoult has always been a favorite of mine, but this is not a favorite of mine. It dragged a bit. This book just did not seem as focused.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Speed of Dark

Author: Elizabeth Moon

Narrator: Jay Snyder

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-09-08

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 568 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Lou Arrendale is a member of that lost generation, born at the wrong time to reap the awards of medical science. Part of a small group of high-functioning autistic adults, he has a steady job with a pharmaceutical company, a car, friends, and a passion for fencing. Aside from his annual visits to his counselor, he lives a low-key, independent life. He has learned to shake hands and make eye contact. He has taught himself to use "please" and "thank you" and other conventions of conversation because he knows it makes others comfortable. He does his best to be as normal as possible and not to draw attention to himself.But then his quiet life comes under attack.

It starts with an experimental treatment that will reverse the effects of autism in adults. With this treatment Lou would think and act and be just like everyone else. But if he was suddenly free of autism, would he still be himself? Would he still love the same classical music - with its complications and resolutions? Would he still see the same colors and patterns in the world - shades and hues that others cannot see? Most importantly, would he still love Marjory, a woman who may never be able to reciprocate his feelings? Would it be easier for her to return the love of a "normal"?

There are intense pressures coming from the world around him - including an angry supervisor who wants to cut costs by sacrificing the supports necessary to employ autistic workers. Perhaps even more disturbing are the barrage of questions within himself. For Lou...

Critic Reviews:

Nebula Award, Best Novel, 2003

Members Reviews:

Totally Recommended!

Lou Arrendale is a high functioning Autistic whose world is turned upside down with the news that there may be a possible cure for his condition. Set in the near future this is a deeply absorbing story that makes for a compulsive listening experience. A deserved Nebula award winning novel that would certainly appeal to fans of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME. If you are not a Sci-Fi aficionado, relax. This is a deeply compassionate journey into the mind of a man trying to find his place in the world. Joins my all time top 10 Audio experiences.

Unexpected Interest

Lou is a high functioning autistic adult working for a pharmaceutical company. A new boss decides that the supportive work environment is too costly and presents a drug trial that could very well cure adult autism. But it is not without considerable risk because although tried on primates, it has not yet been tried on humans. The first half of the story introduces the reader to Lou and his world. The second half of the story centers on Lou's decision making process about whether or not to participate in the trial. I bought this book because of a series I have read by Elizabeth Moon, although this is a stand-alone novel. Although Moon doesn't describe how her futuristic setting got there, I don't feel that is important to the overall tone or plot of the novel. Moon portrays a high functioning world of adult autism in a very capable, compassionate manner. The style of writing keeps the reader inside the autistic world without bogging down. I found it to be an interesting literary device that many writers may not have considered in writing such a piece. There were times when I felt better editing could have enhanced the novel, but overall it was a great read and certainly much different than most sci-fi or mystery novels.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Upper Room

Author: Mary Monroe

Narrator: Kevin Free

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-06-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 148 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Nationally best-selling author Mary Monroe createsan unforgettable cast of characters in The Upper Room. Mama Ruby stole her best friend's baby girl, ran off to Florida, and raised her as her own. Maureen is the center of Mama Ruby's world, and she will do anything to protect her and their life together. Now Maureen wants to know what the rest of the world is like. She is determined to find out, but escaping Mama Ruby won't be easy.

©1985 Mary Monroe; (P)2002 Recorded Books,LLC

Members Reviews:

Good story, but..................

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes, I found it entertaining and funny. Mama Ruby is a mess, and she kept the story interesting with all her antics.

What about Kevin Frees performance did you like?

EVERTHING!!!! I loved his accents, and his portrayal of Mama Ruby. He was the perfect narrator for this, and the mama Ruby book.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes.. It was so crazy at times, I would've loved to see some of the scenes played out.

Any additional comments?

I've said it before (multiple times), and now I'll say it again. The overuse of gasp, sniff, incredulous is so annoying, it makes me want to scream!!!! How can she have so many stories, written so many books, and NOONE brought it up to her about changing these words??? Sniffed: Inhaled, breath, snorted. Gasped: gulped, huffed, wheezed. Incredulous: skeptical, disbelieving, dubious. See? Not that hard!! I'm currently reading the 3rd and final book in this series, and in true Mary Monroe fashion, she has used these 3 words more times than I can count.

Excellent follow-up to Mama Ruby

Where does The Upper Room rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

#3

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Upper Room?

Ruby stealing Maureen.

Which scene was your favorite?

Maureen finally being free!

If you could take any character from The Upper Room out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would take Maureen to dinner just to give her a sense of independence and normalcy from Mama Ruby.

Any additional comments?

I really hate that Mama Ruby turned out to be such a deadly character compared to her beginings as Ruby Jean in "Mama Ruby"!

Run On Chapters...

The chapters ran into each other. The editing was really bad! The last word hardly finished before announcing the next chapter.

Very Entertaining

This Book was very entertaining, funny, and never boring! It took me a minute to get thru it but I was I intrigue the entire time. The narrator did an excellent job!

Funny

Overall good book , and funny characters . Love the country vernacular. mama Ruby was something else

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Bitter Harvest

Subtitle: A Woman's Fury, a Mother's Sacrifice

Author: Ann Rule

Narrator: Mary Beth Hurt

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-30-08

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 76 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The fire was the climactic event of Michael and Debora's lives. Until that summer, they had it all - a happy marriage, successful medical practices, three bright and beautiful children. Then they went on a trip to Peru with their son. There, they met attractive, blonde Celeste Walker, whose husband John was also a successful doctor. But after that trip, nothing was the same again for either couple, and all the dark hidden places in Debora and Michael's marriage bubbled to the surface in a series of almost unbelievable horrors.

Bitter Harvest is the chronicle of this tragedy in the heartland of America, the true story of the disintegration of a marriage and its horrifying consequences. Rule takes us deep in the psyche of a killer whose behavior was so twisted and so evil that it defies belief. Gripping, powerful, and ultimately terrifying, Bitter Harvest is a vivid recreation of an unthinkable crime - and a depiction of the unimagined depths of a darkness within the human spirit.

Members Reviews:

Loved this book, audio equally as good!

I loved reading the book about 5 years ago, could not put it down. I decided to listen to the audio and found it equally as compelling, listening to the entire book within a couple of days. Great listen!

Ann Rule Rules!

Ann Rule but yet once again shines in her talent as a writer! Excellent Book! Highly recommend!

Abridged

Any additional comments?

Shoot I downloaded before I realized this is the Abridged version and now I can't return it. By the reviews I assumed it was the full version. Buyer beware.

Sad

The book was shared with me.. Not a book I would read or choose.. thanks

Sensational!

I can't even put into words how extraordinary this piece of work is! Omg the reader is fantastic! This story held u from beginning to the end and never let go.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Cross-Country Quilters

Author: Jennifer Chiaverini

Narrator: Christina Moore

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-30-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 339 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

In this entry from the popular series, five women meet at quilt camp and embark upon a project together. Over the next year, each woman must tackle a personal difficulty before adding her segment to their shared quilt. Despite the challenges they face, the women draw strength from their newfound sisterhood.

©2001 Jennifer Chiaverini (P)2008 Recorded Books, LLC

Members Reviews:

Thank you Jennifer

I burned this book on to cd's-12 I think-to listen to on a long drive. I was so thrilled with the story and characters. The very beginning had me questioning, what does an diva actress have to do with quilting. Jennifer C, weaves and stitches these women's lives together beautifully. I think even without being a sewist/quilter I would loved this story of these women finding their strengths. It was beautiful It made me laugh, made me cry and I hope someone options the movie rights!

One of my favorite Elm Creek Quilt stories

This is one of my favorites, with the story of each of the five character' personal challenge, as a woman, a wife, and a mother. The challenges ring true, even while the optimism of the stories makes them "comfort" listening. Each of the women is likeable though far from perfect, and it truly feels good to hear them overcome the obstacles, face themselves and own their own responsibility to create their lives. Christina Moore is an excellent narrator, bringing each personality to life.

Nice people

Another fun Elm Creek Quilt story. This one had some loveable characters and some real life situations and stories. I really enjoyed meeting them all.

great story --

I really liked this book. Each character was shown in first person and their lives showcased --several women meet a a quiliter's camp and then over the next year we hear about their lives

Overall good story

What did you love best about The Cross-Country Quilters?

I have listened to the series up through this book and it wasn't my favorite. I have since listened to the 2 after this and they are much more interesting. This book kept my interest, but seemed to be mostly a character development book. Not a deep threaded story line.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jennifer Chiaverini? Why or why not?

Yes, I plan to listen to the full series and buy the next book with each credit.

What does Christina Moore bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

I like the consistency across all the stories. She has narrated the other books as well and I feel like I know the characters.

If you could take any character from The Cross-Country Quilters out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Sarah - she is most like me.

Any additional comments?

I feel like the word "supper" is so tremendously overused! It got better in the next 2 books, but sometimes the word "supper" is worked into a sentence more than once.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: A Child in Time

Author: Ian McEwan

Narrator: Simon Prebble

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-23-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 69 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

New York Times best-selling author Ian McEwan is a Booker and Whitbread Prize winner. In this powerful tour de force, two parents come to appreciate the forces of love and time after the disappearance of their daughter, Kate.

©1987 Ian McEwan; (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC.

Members Reviews:

A sustaining pleasure

Where does A Child in Time rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

So far, at the top -- right up there with the later McEwans.

Have you listened to any of Simon Prebbles other performances before? How does this one compare?

Prebble is a steady, reliable, articulate reader. He's able to give each character subtle shadings that pull the narrative forward without intruding or overacting.

Any additional comments?

Both Sweet Tooth and Child in Time take place, for the most part in a London and at a time that's familiar to me. A personal bias -- a kind of hungry homesickness for time and place and old friends -- makes the choice of five stars inevitable!

But well beyond that is admiration for McEwan's ability to write a complex story of love and loss with great intelligence and humor.

Ian McEwan doesn't disappoint.

Narrator was excellent. McEwan writes beautifully. For me, his books are more about the journey: each sentence is so well crafted, and the plot is a bonus.

Not McEwan's Best Effort

I am a big Ian McEwan fan. I have read all of his published novels, and many of his short stories. This novel I have picked up many times but always would lose interest after about 25 pages. I decided to buy the audiobook, thinking that it might make it easier to "get over the hump." It did, but still, even the audiobook was a bit of a chore. This book hits some of the familiar Ian McEwan themes, such as the nature of chance and how a life can turn on a dime, but it went on to more general and murky discussions about the nature of time itself, and these lengthy discourses never seemed to advance a real story. It seemed a bit pretentious. I am not saying the book did not have some high points. McEwan is so skilled a writer, I am sure his grocery list would be a decent read, but, to me, this is the least satisfying of all his novels.

Ian McEwan's worst.

Pretentious and disappointing. Would have been better as a couple of short stories without the tedious padding. McEwan is capable of far superior material.

Nothing but words

So many words, yet no story. The author had three major places to redeem himself, but failed.