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Title: Possession

Author: A. S. Byatt

Narrator: Virginia Leishman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 22 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-08-07

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 495 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

As a pair of young scholars research the lives of two Victorian poets, they uncover their letters, journals, and poems, and track their movements from London to Yorkshire - from spiritualist seances to the fairy-haunted far west of Brittany. What emerges is an extraordinary counterpoint of passion and ideas.

Members Reviews:

Absolutely Excellent

This is one of my favorites. As a book, it is embedded with wonderful and varied texts that add up to "A Romance" -- narratives from the 19th century and 1980s, as well as fictional but authentic-sounding epic poems, mythology and folk stories, biographies, and letters. It includes very interesting characters, especially among the academics of the 1980s, and considers "possession" as a word and concept in fascinating ways. As an audiobook, Virginia Leishman brings everyone to life in her nuanced narration. I've listened to it many times and always find it a pleasure.

audible poetry

When holding the book in my hands, I found the long sections of history and myth woven into poetry interesting in what they revealed about the characters and the author. Strangely, many of these same sections became tedious when translated to the oral format. Perhaps I had jumped ahead or not paid full attention when reading? But when listening there is no effective way of moving the story forward without possibly missing the plot narrative. "Get on with it already!" I cried several times. A warning, the theoretical polemics of post-modern "social scientists" may seem impenetrable to those not embroiled in the verbiage of modern academia; those involved in these fields may see themselves parodied with ironic accuracy. It is words and, as stated by the author, "lists of words that arranged themselves into poems" that form the beauty of this book that ultimately leaves the romantic in tears.

Challenging, but Worth It

What made the experience of listening to Possession the most enjoyable?

Byatt weaves together two story lines, one set in Victorian England and the other in present day academia, in England. She is an academic herself and this is probably the best (and funniest) portrayal I've come across. At the same time the themes are deep and resonant. It's hard to believe that she made the two Victorian poets out of thin air, they are so clearly drawn.

What did you like best about this story?

Byatt writes beautifully, but mostly she can tell a story that works as a mystery, love story, academic send-up, and an historical.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene in the graveyard was the perfect crisis, exciting, evocative, satirical.

Who was the most memorable character of Possession and why?

Christabel LaMott, the Victorian writer and poet.

Any additional comments?

Byatt composed two sets of poetry for this novel, one for each of the Victorian poets. This is not light reading, but then on the other hand you can get a lot out of this novel even skipping over the poetry. The narrator really delivered, as well.

no more please

I listened to four chapters or five I'm not sure but the ongoing drone of the voice and not knowing when it was the narrator when it was the poet or who was who became maddening so i am giving up without the slightest bit of interest about the journey or its end.