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Title: The Conductor

Author: Sarah Quigley

Narrator: Sean Barrett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-17-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

June 1941: Nazi troops surround the city of Leningrad, planning to shell and starve the people into submission. Most of the cultural elite is evacuated, but the famous composer Shostakovich stays behind to defend his city. That winter, the bleakest in Russian history, the Party orders Karl Eliasberg, the shy, difficult conductor of a second-rate orchestra, to prepare for the task of a lifetime. He is to conduct a performance of Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony, a haunting, defiant new piece, which will be relayed by loudspeakers to the front lines.

Eliasbergs musicians are starving, and scarcely have the strength to carry their instruments. But for five freezing months the conductor stubbornly drives on his musicians, depriving those who falter of their bread rations. Slowly the music begins to dissolve the nagging hunger, the exploding streets, the slow deaths...but at what cost?

Eliasbergs relationships are strained, obsession takes hold, and his orchestra is growing weaker. Now, its a struggle not just to perform but to stay alive.

Critic Reviews:

"Deserves to be mentioned alongside Jane Smiley, Andrea Levy and Rose Tremai." (Sunday Herald)

"Extraordinary ... a symphony on the power of love - the love of music, home, family, city.... A triumph on every level." (New Zealand Herald)

"An extraordinary period of history brought into proximity by a daring novelist.... Superbly imagined and brilliantly realised." (Lloyd Jones)

Members Reviews:

A Powerful Study In Characterisation

Set during the siege of Leningrad, Quigley's powerful and enthralling novel focuses on the character of Karl Eliasberg, the conductor who managed to assemble an audience of half-starved musicians from the city's desperate inhabitants and coax from them a performance of Shostakovich's newly-composed seventh symphony. This performance, broadcast on loudspeakers to defenders and assailants alike, would come to stand for the resilience of the Leningrad people under the most extreme privation. Eliasberg is a man tortured by lack of confidence and low self-esteem. Yet in in the pursuit of a task so utterly demanding that there is scarcely time for him to drag his mother's corpse to the frozen cemetery, and no time at all to tell his friends and colleagues of her death, he manages to find a redemptive strength and purpose.

All the characters in this novel are powerfully drawn - they are, after all, individuals under the most extreme stress, inhabiting the very margins of existence; and behind them lurks the overwhelming personality of Leningrad, a city where bombs and artillery fall like rain and where the melting snow of Spring reveals dead bodies that have been partly cannabalised by the starving inhabitants. Despite its often cerebral concerns, this novel manages to be a real page turner and it is marvellously read by Sean Barrett. I was scarcely able to think about anything else until I reached the end.

One of my best ever books

Would you listen to The Conductor again? Why?

Yes. I don't normally but because this is so well written and contains a great deal of historical fact I will probably go back to it. Not only for the brilliance of the writing but to remind myself of aspects of this history. Sarah Quigley's portrayal of all her characters was brilliant. Her prose is exquisite. Descriptive, realistic, sparing nothing of the horrors of war but depicting the strength of human spirit.

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Title: Renegade

Author: Robyn Young

Narrator: Nick McArdle

Format: Unabridged

Length: 19 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 08-30-12

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Born to a line of Kings, he will now bow to a conqueror.

But on the run through the wilds of Ireland, hunted by a relentless assassin, Robert seems a long way from achieving his destiny. And there are other eyes on Scotland's crown, and old enemies gather against him.

This is a game of conquest, power and treachery, and Robert finds that to survive he must first abandon everything he holds dear. He was always prepared to die on the battlefield - but what else must he sacrifice to keep his hopes alive?

Critic Reviews:

Young's fans will not be disappointed as she meticulously ploughs through the sweep of history and brings to life one of its most enigmatic characters' Daily Mail 'Immaculately researched and carefully written, evoking a very particular - and largely unexplored - time and place. The fights are sensational.' Daily Telegraph 'An outstanding contemporary writer' Kate Mosse on Robyn Young

Members Reviews:

Great book and Trilogy

A great trilogy which is well researched, mixing fiction and fact to give a great story of Medieval Britain.

The narrator does the novel justice with his accents and different voices for each character. You could tell who is who without being given the names of the character speaking.

Great author, perfect narrator.

Strong story

Some weak writing in my opinion done just for effect but most listeners wouldn't e bothered by that

Bruce is a irritating character but the novel is good on whole for a genre story. And narrator fine.

history written well

It took me 7 chapters to get into this audio book but that was down to the narroator.it sounded like he was bored.later on he played his part and work up but at first he read in a none feeling drone.but the book I enjoyed in the end

Book 3 can't come quick enough!

Once again Robyn Young has produced a flawless piece of historical fiction. Since finishing book 1 of the trilogy, I've been eagerly awaiting this book release and I wasnt disappointed. Young dazzles throughout with her scrupulous research and detailed knowledge of the era by incorporating all the major players of the time into this epic masterpiece.

The high tempo pace from the outset continues throughout as the story of The Bruce takes twists and turns across medievil Britain.

The author blends fiction and non-fiction, politics and war to perfection and in doing so has created a book for the ages that I found impossible to put down.

Brace yourself for book 3. Brace yourself for the rise of The Bruce. Brace yourself for Bannockburn....

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Title: The Sealed Letter

Author: Emma Donoghue

Narrator: Charlotte Strevens

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-15-12

Publisher: Macmillan Digital Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

From the bestselling author of Room comes a delicious tale of secrets, betrayal and forbidden love The Sealed Letter is a page-turner with a jaw-dropping ending.(Stylist)

Helen Codrington is unhappily married. Emily Fido Faithfull hasnt seen her once-dear friend for years. Suddenly, after bumping into Helen on the streets of Victorian London, Fido finds herself reluctantly helping Helen to have an affair with a young army officer. The womens friendship quickly unravels amid courtroom accusations of adultery, counter-accusations of cruelty and attempted rape, and the appearance of a mysterious sealed letter that could destroy more than one life Based on a real-life scandal that gripped England in 1864, The Sealed Letter is a delicious tale of secrets, betrayal, and forbidden love.

Critic Reviews:

"Very enjoyable." (Independent on Sunday)

"Briskly written, deftly plotted and nicely ironic." (Guardian)

"Blissfully readable." (The Times)

Members Reviews:

A bit annoying

Full marks to Emma Donoghue for her scholarship, but it's not much of a story. The characters, as depicted are a bunch of extremely annoying twits. I found the depiction of Fido as a naïve, drippy, romantic, particularly irritating. I've read my share of Braddon and Collins, and I didn't find the simpering dialogue authentic for the period, just a bit condescending towards lesbians and their straight girl crushes. I suspect Fido would be turning in her grave, if such things were possible.

So, so good

I was attracted to this book because I really enjoyed listening to Room by the same author. At first, I wasn't sure I would find the subject matter too compelling but the characters are so beautifully crafted and the storyline is interesting. The book is very well researched, as becomes obvious in the afterword, and Emma Donoghue used the research to create a detailed and fascinating picture of the daily lives and larger events in the year 1864. Judging by the information freely available about Fido Faithful and the Codringtons, the author has remained true to real events and brought them and the times they occurred in, beautifully to life. The narrator is also excellent and conveys the different characters and their foibles in fine subtlety.

Change the narrator-I lasted 15 minutes

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

Another narrator

What was most disappointing about Emma Donoghues story?

The narrator ruined it all

How could the performance have been better?

I wish Stephen Fry could have read this. Yes, Isay that

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Sealed Letter?

None.

Any additional comments?

I want to be able to read this, but no!

Wasted 12 hours of my life listening to this

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

A better story, better written.

What was most disappointing about Emma Donoghues story?

The story lacked any suspense or pace. I was expecting a gripping courtroom drama based on a true story, but instead it was dreary tale of dreary people with whom I had no sympathy or interest.

What three words best describe Charlotte Strevenss voice?

Charlotte's voice was interesting and clear and the story was well read; just a shame she had to read this one.

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Title: The Lifeboat

Author: Charlotte Rogan

Narrator: Rebecca Gibel

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-29-12

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

"I was to stand trial for my life. I was twenty-two years old. I had been married for ten weeks and a widow for six."

In the summer of 1914, the Empress Alexandra, a magnificent ocean liner, suffers a mysterious explosion on its voyage from London to New York City. On board are Henry Winter, a rich banker, and his young new wife, Grace. Somehow, Henry manages to secure a place in a lifeboat for Grace. But the survivors quickly realize it is over capacity and could sink at any moment. For any to live, some must die.

As the castaways battle the elements, and one another, Grace watches and waits. She is a woman who has learned the value of patience - her journey to a life of glittering privilege has been far from straightforward. Now, she knows, it is in jeopardy, and her very survival is at stake.

Over the course of three perilous weeks, the passengers on the lifeboat plot, scheme, gossip, and console one another while sitting inches apart. Their deepest beliefs about goodness, humanity, and God are tested to the limit as they begin to discover what they will do in order to survive. The Lifeboat is a page-turning story of moral dilemmas, and also the moving and haunting story of Grace, a woman as unforgettable and complicated as the story she recounts.

Critic Reviews:

"Charlotte Rogan uses a deceptively simple narrative of shipwreck and survival to explore our all-too-human capacity for self-deception." (J. M. Coetzee, twice winner of the Man Booker Prize, Nobel Laureate)

"The Lifeboat traps the reader in a story that is exciting at the literal level and brutally moving at the existential: I read it in one go." (Emma Donoghue, author of Room)

"What a splendid book. . . . I can't imagine any reader who looks at the opening pages wanting to put the book down. . . . It's so refreshing to read a book that is ambitious and yet not tricksy, where the author seems to be in command of her material and really on top of her game. It's beautifully controlled and totally believable." (Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall)

Charlotte Rogans writing is exquisite and full to bursting with suspense and tension. I still cant believe this is Rogans debut, she has written a novel that many long established writers will be a little envious of. (The Bookseller)

Members Reviews:

Greatly enjoyed

A crackerjack yarn, thoroughly engrossing. I loved the moral ambiguities and the ambivalence in the main character's 'voice'. Highly recommended.

Simply loved this book

I loved this book from the very beginning to the end and rated it five stars.

I hope to read more of her. But apart from the book I also loved the audioversion. It was told in a highly vivid way and with a matter of fact voice.

Only slightly less boring than .......

actually being shipwrecked for three weeks!! I found the story hindered by the narrators dreadful Oirish accent for Hardy, and quite frankly wished them all dead by chapter 15 to lessen the agony!

Granted it's a hard subject but felt the way the story jumped back and forward towards the end of the book did not help, it was almost like the author knew you would be bored and so skipped to the end and then retold the story of the rescue.

Just did not like it and really struggled to finish it.

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Title: Daughters of the Grail

Author: Elizabeth Chadwick

Narrator: Nicolette McKenzie

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-21-11

Publisher: Soundings

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Thirteenth-century France: Bridget has grown up mastering the mystical gifts of her ancestor, Mary Magdalene, whose unbroken female lineage has kept a legacy of wisdom alive for a thousand years. But the all-powerful Catholic Church has sworn to destroy Bridget for using her healing talents and supernatural abilities. Her duty to continue the bloodline leads her into the arms of Raoul de Mountvallant a Catholic. But when the Churchs savage religious intolerance causes Raoul to turn rebel, a terrible vengeance is exacted. As war rages on, it is the children of these passionate souls, Magda and Dominic, who must strive to preserve the ancient knowledge for future generations.

Members Reviews:

Another wonderful story

Would you consider the audio edition of Daughters of the Grail to be better than the print version?

I don't know I haven't read the print version

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the characters, and finding out fascinating historical details and stories.

Which character as performed by Nicolette McKenzie was your favourite?

I was fascinated by them all. Horrified by the black monk.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Shock!!

Any additional comments?

Detail making the story real!!

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Title: Sacred Is the Wind

Author: Kerry Newcomb

Narrator: Pete Bradbury

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-02-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Acclaimed Western novelist Kerry Newcomb illustrates one of the darkest pages of American history in this passionate saga about culture, conflict, love, and war. He portrays the tumultuous and hostile atmosphere of the mid-19th century as war breaks out between the Cheyenne Indians and the white settlers. Panther Burn, a brave Cheyenne, and Jubal Bragg, a revengeful militia man, find themselves face to face in a tragic struggle between two proud cultures.

Members Reviews:

great book

outstanding book. well performed and the realization of a persons changes in life. a must listen

Disappointing book with a great ending

Any additional comments?

I was extremely interested in the subject matter when I bought this book, but found the plot development and character development left me feeling very disappointed. The book skips entire decades in the lives of the characters, completely bypassing what I would have looked forward to as the most interesting part of the story: how Panther Burn, the last Cheyenne War Chief, kept fighting and defied the Union soldiers and refused to surrender until forced to do so in order to save what remained of his people. You could have made an entire novel just about that. That is the story that would have drawn me into this book wholeheartedly, and it was completely ignored. Also never mentioned again was what ever became of such major characters as Panther Burn's parents. They just sort of disappear halfway through the story. The main antagonist, Jubal Bragg, starts out as being someone who was halfway interesting but by the 2nd half of the novel his character had faded into a hollow shell and I lost interest in ever seeing truth or justice for him. The women in this book are blushing virgins who inspire men to fall in love with them by virtue of their beauty alone, without need of any actual depth to their characters. And it seems that Michael Spirit Wolf, son of Panther Burn, who was destined to bridge the void between the Cheyenne and the white man... who was supposed to have played a crucial role in securing the future of his people.... we never get to find out how or IF he fulfilled that destiny. Overall I was bitterly disappointed that most of the major themes that were hinted at and built up to were never brought to any kind of conclusion. I am of the old-fashioned belief that all questions should be answered by the end of a story. However, the ending of this book was very moving and poetic, which is the only reason I even rated this novel at 3 stars. Maybe my questions are addressed in other novels by this author, but after this experience I don't think I'll be reading/listening to any more of his stories.

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Title: The Caspian Gates

Author: Harry Sidebottom

Narrator: Nick Boulton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-30-11

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

AD262 - the Imperium is in turmoil after the struggle for the throne. Furthermore, Ephesus, Asia's metropolis, lies in ruins, shattered by a mighty earthquake. Yet an even greater threat to the Empire advances from the North. The barbaric Goth tribes sail towards Ephesus, determined to pillage the city. Only Ballista, Warrior of Rome, knows the ways of the barbarians, and only he can defeat them.

Members Reviews:

Lacking

I have loved all this series of stories but this has that something "missing" that the others had. Felt the story meanders without any direction for a while but still can't wait for the next one

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Titel: Sagen des klassischen Altertums

Untertitel: Die komplette Höredition

Autor:: Gustav Schwab

Erzähler: Hanns Zischler

Format: Unabridged

Spieldauer: 20 hrs and 44 mins

Sprache: Deutsch

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 10-14-11

Herausgeber: Eichborn Lido

Bewertung: 4.5 von 5 von 2 Stimmen

Kategorien: Fiction, Historical

Zusammenfassung des Herausgebers:

Der antike Held Prometheus, der sich gegen Zeus auflehnte, die Sagen Trojas, der Raub Helenas, der Flug des Ikarus, die Geschichte von der Gründung Roms: hier ist endlich all das zu hören, was zum Erbe unserer Kultur gehört.

Gustav Schwabs klassisch gewordene Sammlung griechischer Sagen hat unser Bild der Antike maßgeblich geprägt und eignet sich gleichermaßen als moderner Hörgenuss wie als Zeitreise in die Mythologie - meisterhaft interpretiert von Hanns Zischler, einem "Vorleser aus Passion".

©2009 Eichborn (P)2009 Eichborn

Kritik Bewertungen:

All diese Kärrnerarbeit hat Schwab uns abgenommen. Und wir- ob jung oder alt - müssen nur Hanns Zischler zuhören, um uns auf unterhaltsame und auch lehrreiche Weise wieder einmal den Anfängen der abendländischen Literatur zu nähern.

-- Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Mitglieder Bewertungen:

Highly recommendable classic

A well known and well loved classic for generations. Anyone interested in the stories of antiquity cannot bypass this book.

Highly recommendable

Childhood Memories

The e-book has the same content as my printed version dated 1896

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Title: Nate Donovan

Subtitle: Revolutionary Spy

Author: Peter Marshall, David Manuel, Sheldon Maxwell

Narrator: Marc Cashman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-15-11

Publisher: Oasis Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In 1777, during the War for Independence, Nate Donovan is the younger brother in an Irish Quaker family in British-occupied Philadelphia. He is too young to join the Continental Army that is fighting for Americas freedom, but when the war comes through the Donovans front door, Nate becomes the youngest member of General George Washingtons spy network. Dangerous? If Nate and his Indian friend, Running Fox, are caught as spies the penalty is death by hanging.

Members Reviews:

Five Stars

Excellent for historical fiction - in Cildren's Literature class

Fascinating historical fiction

My 10yr old daughter and I really liked learning about history through this book. Interwoven throughout were historically accurate references to various people involved with George Washington's spy ring, medical practices of the time, conditions at Valley Forge, the faith of George Washington, and the British army. I give it 4 stars for its somewhat simplistic language, as I prefer to read books with more sophisticated writing (even for this intended age level). Overall, we highly recommend this and other books in the Crimson Cross series.

Great book!!!!!

This is a GREAT book!! I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes adventurous and actioned books. It was so hard for me to put down because it was so good.

exceptional

Put yourself on location with this suspenseful drama! I read it aloud to my 8 & 10 year olds at bedtime... we couldn't put it down!

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Title: The Beauty Chorus

Author: Kate Lord Brown

Narrator: Julia Franklin, Maggie Mash

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 06-25-11

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

New Year's Eve, 1940: Evie Chase, determined to make a difference to the war effort, joins the ATA, the civilian pilots who ferry Tiger Moths and Spitfires to bases across Britain. Two other women nervously join up: Stella Grainger and Megan Jones. Billeted in a tiny cottage, they must learn to live and work together. Brave, beautiful and fiercely independent, they find romance, confront loss, and forge friendships that will last a lifetime.

Members Reviews:

Annoying narration

This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I think I would have liked the story but the narrator was very annoying! I realize it's hard to do different accents and things but some of the character's voices bordered on weird. The men were ultra loud and you could almost see the spittle coming from some of their mouths when they talked. I hate to be critical and usually am not but I couldn't get past the strange accents and voices of the characters. I was only able to listen to about 90 minutes of it.

Has The Beauty Chorus turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, I love WWII books.

Would you be willing to try another one of Julia Franklin and Maggie Mash s performances?

No

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Beauty Chorus?

I didn't even finish it.

One of My favorites

This is certenly one of my top 10 favorites. I loved miss Chase very very much. The part where she sings is one of the most tear gerking I ever read. This book is so beautiful in every way. It is complicated. Things happen slowly, but you get to know everyone better. I recommend.

Great story

What an addictive book and with all the elements that make you remember it! Some fiction, romance, history, fun! Well worth a read or listen.