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Title: Duty and Desire

Subtitle: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman

Author: Pamela Aidan

Narrator: George Holmes

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-18-08

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 236 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Though Darcy struggles privately with his desire for Elizabeth Bennet, he must still fulfill his roles as landlord, master, brother, and friend.

In Book Two, the "silent time" of Austen's novel, Fitzwilliam Darcy and his personal world emerge as he deals with his servants, including a valet with aspirations of sartorial triumph; his sister, who is only just emerging from a crippling depression; his cousins, the still-squabbling Fitzwilliam brothers; and his hound, Trafalgar, who he calls "Monster" with good reason.

A visit to an old classmate in Oxford designed to shake Elizabeth from his mind sets Darcy amidst husband-hunting society ladies and friends from his university days, all with designs on him...some for good and some for ill. Darcy, and his Shakespeare-quoting valet Fletcher, must match wits with them all, but especially with the mysterious and dangerous Lady Sylvanie.

Setting the story vividly against the colorful, historical, and political background of the Regency, Aidan writes in a style comfortably at home with Jane Austen, but with a wit and humor very much her own. Aidan adds her own cast of fascinating characters to those in Austen's original, weaving a rich tapestry from Darcy's past and present. Austen fans, and newcomers alike, will love this new chapter of the most famous romance of all time.

Members Reviews:

wonderful, wonderful fluff

Either the narrator got better for part 2 of this series, or I got used to him.

I found this listen very relaxing. The author lets her imagination wander farther afield from Pride & Prejudice than other P&P homage novelists have done when writing from "other perspectives," but still stays true to Austen's plotline-- for example, Darcy's valet is inserted as a very humourous and wise chap and Georgiana becomes a stronger character. We are also teased with glimmers of the world outside polite gentrified country drawing rooms. And although Darcy sometimes comes across as a love sick puppy, he remains on the surface stoic and strong, so I was able to keep my disbelief suspended. So, from my point of view, this turns out to be almost perfect fluff (at least for a tired English teacher on summer holidays).

The Only Cure for Love of a Woman is Another Woman

Volume II covers a period where Darcy was absent from P&P so Ms. Aidon was perfectly free to invent any story she wanted. She went for the castles, intrigues, Stonehenge, high stake cards, fabulously beautiful women including Lady Sylvanie and her strange maid: Doyle, the downfall of a lord, and Darcy's frantic search for a woman who would banish Elizabeth from his heart. Hah! As if that was a possibility!

As you know, Northanger Abbey was Miss Austen's first book and owes something of a debt to Mrs. Ann Radcliffe's Mysteries of Uldopho--I think for the feel of the Abbey in the mind of Miss Catherine Moreland. The heroine of Uldopho faced real trials and dangers while Miss Moreland's were mostly in her imagination. In The Jane Austen Book Club Riggs, who had actually read Uldolpho, when his turn came to host the group, turned his house into a Castle Uldopho gothic horror scene. While Mrs. Radcliffe's style is unusual to our eyes, I think all of Miss Austen's principled, strong women have their genesis in the heroines of Mrs.

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Title: Peony in Love

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Lisa See

Narrator: Jodi Long

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-07-07

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 32 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

For young Peony, betrothed to a suitor she has never met, these lyrics from The Peony Pavilion mirror her own longings. In the garden of the Chen Family Villa, amid the scent of ginger, green tea, and jasmine, a small theatrical troupe is performing scenes from this epic opera, a live spectacle few females have ever seen. Like the heroine in the drama, Peony is the cloistered daughter of a wealthy family, trapped like a good-luck cricket in a bamboo-and-lacquer cage. Though raised to be obedient, Peony has dreams of her own.

Peony's mother is against her daughter's attending the production: "Unmarried girls should not be seen in public". But Peony's father assures his wife that proprieties will be maintained, and that the women will watch the opera from behind a screen. Yet through its cracks, Peony catches sight of an elegant, handsome man with hair as black as a cave: and is immediately overcome with emotion.

So begins Peony's unforgettable journey of love and destiny, desire and sorrow as Lisa See's haunting new novel, based on actual historical events, takes readers back to 17th-century China, after the Manchus seize power and the Ming dynasty is crushed.

Steeped in traditions and ritual, this story brings to life another time and place: even the intricate realm of the afterworld, with its protocols, pathways, and stages of existence, a vividly imagined place where one's soul is divided into three, ancestors offer guidance, misdeeds are punished, and hungry ghosts wander the earth. Immersed in the richness and magic of the Chinese vision of the afterlife, transcending even death, Peony in Love explores, beautifully, the many manifestations of love. Ultimately, Lisa See's new novel addresses universal themes: the bonds of friendship, the power of words, and the age-old desire of women to be heard.

Critic Reviews:

"Peony's vibrant voice, perfectly pitched between the novel's historical and passionate depths, carries her story beautifully." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Not quite as good as her other books.

This book is very similar to other works by Lisa See, she has a unique voice. I didn't like it quite as much as her others but it was still good. The narrator's voice was a little annoying at first but I got over it quickly.

Peony in Love

I really enjoyed this book. The author was able to place you in the time period and really see the story play out before you.

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Title: A Sound Like Thunder

Author: Sonny Brewer

Narrator: Steven Boyer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-30-07

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When 80-year-old Rove MacNee sets about to tell his life's story, he begins a coming-of-age narrative that takes place in the small gulf-coast town of Fairhope, Alabama. The son of an alcoholic captain, Rove finds peace casting his fishing net into the sea, but soon faces the crossroads of his life.

©2006 Sonny Brewer; (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic Reviews:

"Brewer's fans will enjoy his graceful crafting of characters and the budding romance between Rove and Anna Pearl, a schoolmate with a 'fire-bearing spirit.'" (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

made me miss the good old days

I happen to live in the area that this author writes about in this book. I was deeply entranced with the description of the local area as it was presented. Very accurate. Many a day went by that I listened to the book and was at the actual site described in the book. This was a very honest book about life in the south during the time period. I felt as if I had been transported back in time and could imagine the young children casting nets along the Fairhope pier as one of the characters in the novel. I highly recommend this book for those who long for a time when things were simpler, slower and safer for you children. The only danger was from inside the family itself.

Oh, there were other dangers, like the war and the Nazi paranoia, but overall it was mostly internal struggles that created tension in this book.

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Title: A Long Long Way

Author: Sebastian Barry

Narrator: John Cormack

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-16-06

Publisher: Oakhill Publishing Ltd

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

With acclaimed works like The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty, Irish author Sebastian Barry has earned a reputation as a "master storyteller" (The Wall Street Journal). In A Long Long Way he has created an unforgettable portrait of the horrors of war through the story of Willie Dunne, a young man who leaves his native Dublin in 1914 to join the Allies on the Western Front. Caught between the catastrophic violence he encounters there and the growing political tension at home over Irish independence, Willie finds himself confronting unbearable choices regarding family, patriotism, and the devotion he feels toward his regiment. A deeply affecting portrayal of personal struggle and the consequences of war, this is one of Barry's most powerful accomplishments.

© Sebastion Barry; (P)Oakhill Publishing Ltd

Critic Reviews:

"Barry succeeds admirably in creating complex individuals who find themselves trapped in a brutal reality....Beautiful and soul-wrenching." (Los Angeles Times)

"The story grips, shocks and saddens; but most importantly refuses to be forgotten." (The Times of London)

Members Reviews:

Unexpected Pleasure!!

Having already read Barry's "The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty" and finding it pretentious and verbose, I expected little. Wrong!

This is great stuff on many levels. I was flattened by the realistic description of the battle scenes, the mustard gas, the machine guns etc. but most of all by the courage and bravery of the poor mutts that endured the carnage. Of course, they vaguely thought they were fighting for king and country (Ireland?) - at least at the start - but disillusionment quickly set in. This gradual enlightment is subtlely sketched. A powerful anti-war manifesto with especial relevance to to-day.

Brilliantly read by John Cormack. The language is beautiful and poetic. Upon checking, I discovered that Sebastian Barry has authored several books of poetry...and it shows.

I'm Irish, so know that the historical details are accurate (and conveniently forgotten until very recently) although admittedly the plot itself is contrived to augment the story. No matter.

In summary, a beautiful book which repays some small latitude as it takes time to hit its stride. One of the unexpected bonuses that make life so rewarding.

A must read about WW1

And here I sit, feeling desolate and sad, because I want more of the same. I want Cormack's narration and Barry's prose. I don't want to leave the camaraderie of the troops in the trenches of Belgium, near Ypres. Isn't it utterly strange that I do not want to leave the battlefields of WW1?! That is the truth of the matter, strange as it may seem.

None of the other books I have read about WW12 have moved me as this has. I believe I understand what that warfare was like. It was horrible. When the war ended, it didn't really end. All who lived through it would never be the same. To understand the war itself you must look further than the blood and bombs and gas and grime and lice and all the physical horror of it. There is still more. There was also what the soldiers shared with each other. This is something very hard to comprehend to those of us who have not fought in wars. This book shows you how the soldiers intimately depended, needed and relied on each other.

I am so shaken by the ending that I don't know what to say. I have no complaints.

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Title: The Prestige

Author: Christopher Priest

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-06-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1829 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In 1878, two young stage magicians clash in the dark during the course of a fraudulent séance. From this moment on, their lives become webs of deceit and revelation as they vie to outwit and expose each other. In the course of pursuing each other's ruin, they will deploy all the deception their magician's craft can command. Their rivalry will take them to the peaks of their careers, but with terrible consequences. In the end, their legacy will be passed on for generations to descendants who must, for their sanity's sake, untangle the puzzle left to them.

©1995 Christopher Priest (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"Extraordinary, like a dazzling magic act!" (Entertainment Weekly) "A brilliant conjuring act by one of the master illusionists of our time." (Wired) "A taut, twisting, prize-winning story of two magicians and their fierce fin-de-siècle rivalry that taints successive generations of their respective families....An unexpectedly compelling fusion of weird science and legerdemain." (Kirkus Reviews)

Members Reviews:

One of a Kind.

Christopher Priest is primarily considered a science fiction writer, but his scope his much broader and I think it would be reasonable to say that he more an explorer of the human psyche. His main themes are perception, truth and reality, his canvas a kind of Jungian dreamscape. With the Prestige he has combined the elements he most favors and presented them in a story that rises above any simple categorization. In short this novel is a revelation. The story concerns with two Victorian era magicians, each blaming the other for the circumstances which have led them into a growing cycle of revenge and retribution. Here we are confronted by two versions of one story as each man makes his case against the other. But it is an illusion called The new transformed man which becomes the main focus as both men become obsessed with unraveling each others professional secrets. But the story does not end here, the consequences of their actions resound through the generations to the present day where we are introduced to two of their descendents who are both struggling to confront the truth of their own situations. He is haunted by a voice he cannot define, she is the keeper of secrets that have consumed her life. Throughout this story the writer involves the reader, respecting our intelligence and challenging our perceptions. But putting all this aside, Priest certainly knows how to write a good rip roaring yarn one that quietly builds to a crescendo, mesmerizing the reader until we are desperate for some kind of resolution, but be warned, Priest does not do straightforward endings. If you have seen the screen adaptation do not forgo the book, for while the film is faithful to the tone of the story, the book is more complete and thorough entity.

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Title: Labyrinth

Author: Kate Mosse

Narrator: Emilia Fox, Anton Lesser

Format: Abridged

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-19-06

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 32 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

July 2005: Alice Tanner stumbles upon two skeletons during an archaeological dig in the mountains outside Carcassonne. Inside the hidden tomb where the bones lie crumbling, she experiences an overwhelming sense of malevolence, as well as a creeping understanding that, however impossible it seems, she can somehow understand the mysterious ancient words carved into the rock. Too late, Alice realises she's set in motion a terrifying sequence of events that she cannot control and that her destiny is inextricably tied up with the fate of the Cathars 800 years before.

Critic Reviews:

"A gripping holy grail quest....The story line runs on knowledge and fun, Carcassonne never looked so good." (Sunday Times)

Members Reviews:

Ho hum

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I didnt get to it.

Was Labyrinth worth the listening time?

No - I struggled to give it a chance but it didn't grab me.

Any additional comments?

Pedestrian writing values - "her pale skin and aqualine features" "her dark fringe of eyelashes " etc etc . Groan...

An average summer read

I too found this book to be sorely overrated. As has been previously stated it is following in the fad for novels about 'the holy grail' and the repucussions through the ages. To be far its better than most and if you take it for what it is it can be entertaining. The characters are quite 2D and as a woman myself I can see the point previously made about it being aimed at women. It panders and patronizes and instead of identifing with Alice/Alais I just thought she was a waste of space and very feeble.

And yet whilst the plot is a little exhaustive and overblown in some areas it does offer lots of intrigue and keeps you going. Plus the narrators are the best thing about this book. As people will know from my other reviews I think Emilia Fox is fantastic and teaming up with Anton Lesser here makes it much more exciting and intriguing.

Anyone who wants an intense novel with twists and turns but still typical enough to guess whats going to happen then this is the book for you.

No wonder there is another audiobook edition now

The book is as expected not a great novel, but it is difficult to tell with this abridged version. What was very difficult to deal with was the awful pair of readers. If had not paid for this book I would have stopped listening after the first chapter. I suspect the unabridged version will be an improvement on content and audio character.

A Glimpse into Medieval Pays D'Oc

The story was interesting, with its links between past and present. The brief insight into the world of the Cathars and their alternative religion was fascinating. The one aspect I found difficult was the appalling French accent used on occasions. I felt as though I had been transported to the set of 'Allo Allo'. Generally speaking, if an accent isn't going to sound authentic, it's probably best not to attempt it at all.

Otherwise, very enjoyable.

Awful

This is just utter garbage. Stilted clunky story, dreadful reading, appalling abridgement. I have tried & tried to stick with it but tonight I've given up. Waste of time and money.

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Title: Miranda the Great

Author: Eleanor Estes

Narrator: Lyssa Browne

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-14-05

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

How these fortunate felines survive to become the noble ancestors of the cats of modern Rome is all due to the cleverness of the cat they come to call Miranda the Great, Queen of the Colosseum!

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Title: Once Upon a Summer

Subtitle: Seasons of the Heart, Book 1

Author: Janette Oke

Narrator: Marguerite Gavin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-05-05

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 97 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

That's why I got so riled up when I heard Grandpa and Uncle Charlie talkin' about findin' a fella for Auntie Lou!

You see, somethin' had to be done! I couldn't just sit back and watch our special family get broken up. But with Grandpa and Uncle Charlie workin' so hard to get Auntie Lou married off, I really had my job cut out for me.

Then, when that poor preacher came along, it really got complicated.

And maybe you'll find out what I found out about the best kind of family, I mean."

Members Reviews:

Wrestling with God . . . Learning . . .and Loving

This is a sweet story about family, faith and loss . . . a young man growing up without his parents, being raised by his grandpa and his aunt, who isn't too much older than he is . . . and blaming God that he can't even remember his parents . . . it is a different era, a time of working on the family farm, of respecting and obeying one's elders, and going to church in a wagon . . . a gentle tale of life, growing, changing, accepting . . . I only wish is that a different narrator had been chosen . . . I would have enjoyed it a lot more if the voice of Josh had not been a woman . . . it set me on edge throughout the whole book

lovely writing

these books are lovely without being sickly sweet.. that old time feel and full of genuine love and kindness. wonderful read.

great for young teens

Good christian values and it is a easy read/listen.... My 11 year old loved this book.

Great family reading.

This book and its secquals are great family reading. You will enjoy this book.

Once Upon A Summer

Lovely, homespun tale of pioneer folk in the West. The storyline is gentle, yet compelling and is narrated beautifully.

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Title: Like Gold Refined

Subtitle: Prairie Legacy, Book 4

Author: Janette Oke

Narrator: Marguerite Gavin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-04-05

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 39 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Their lovely daughter Mindy, who has blessed their home ever since her mother left the tiny child with them, has been encouraged and guided to pray for that mother all these years. Is God answering that prayer, or is the worst nightmare any family could face now upon them?

Virginia is not sure she has the strength or fortitude to truly become like gold refined.

Members Reviews:

Need more

Loved this series! Wish there were more following up with this one, sad to end it... But happy Janette Oke has plenty more Christ centered family series to get wrapped up in.

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Title: Elsie's Children

Subtitle: Original Elsie Classics, Book 6

Author: Martha Finely

Narrator: Marguerite Gavin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-28-05

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The entire family is thrown into turmoil, however, when a carriage accident threatens the life and sanity of Grandpa Dinsmore and Aunt Enna, and Violet is burned with a troublesome secret. Everyone in the family is thrilled as young Elsie blossoms under the warmth of new love, but sorrow strikes as Lily is gathered into the arms of the Good Shepherd despite all the efforts to save her life.

Members Reviews:

Another good atory

Martha Finley continues to have beautiful and good stories that make it hard to put down. Wonderfully way to show christian values

Finley's books are an enjoyable read for children with a ...

Finley's books are an enjoyable read for children with a higher reading comprehension or adults looking for a cute story.

ok book.

Nice pleasant book about wealthy families

and not so wealthy relatives. A lot of Bible quotes, rules and good deeds.

Excellent

My 10 year old daughter and I love, love, love this series. Reading about Elsie through each pregnancy and getting to know each child's personality was riveting. Martha Finley's conversations for them as toddlers is sooo adorable and true to life.

Can't read it

Print is way too small. Can barely read this because it hurts my eyes.