Archangel

I chose this book because I so enjoyed Ghost by the same author. He has an unsettling way of using his novels to make political points and Archangel is no exception. I love books that really make me think and Robert Harris explores the dynamics in the modern "Westernised" Russia compared to life under communism. At the same time, he tells an interesting and at time, tense story concerning the last days of Stalin. During the novel, a legacy from the old times is uncovered by the unlikely hero found in Fluke Kelso. I really liked Fluke and I hope we catch up with him again soon. The entire book is brilliantly narrated by Michael Kitchen who mastered the characters to perfection. I didn't think I was really that interested in Communist Russia but Robert Harris proved me wrong. This book would interest anyone who enjoys the study of human beings mixed with history and a certain amount of political comment. Add to that suspense and an old mystery and I found Archangel a great read.

Liked the plot and it had a steady pace with realism and tension.

The narrator is the best I have ever heard on an audible book. The book is fast moving, great dialogue and plot. Perhaps I would like more attention to detail.

Highly recommended

I started listening to this, then found it rather dull and gave up for several months. I found Michael Kitchen's narrative style difficult to get used to. It's rather detached or bored, as though he's reporting back to a meeting. I think that's deliberate to give an air of authenticity, ie that the events have happened. In fact there were one or two places where as far as I recall the narrative itself suggested that, although I'd missed who was speaking or listening.

I went back to the book after several months as I had finished the current book before the month end. I found the story picked up, but all the characters were rather unappealing.
The story relates to papers which are associated with Stalin. At one point Fluke does panic realising that he is allowing himself to be hustled into matters far more quickly than is good for his professional reputation, but he still permits this and I did begin to get exasperated with him for letting events over run him.

The first few chapters of the book introduce many unfamiliar Russian names and places and at times I was confused as to who was whom, but I was carried along by Michael Kitchen's excellent interpretation. Books read by him have added appeal. Once into the book I was gripped by the extraordinary and imaginative story weaving fact and fiction in a convincing way.

really struggled to listen to narrator had to go back to the beginning 3 times to get to grips with the plot.Great story should have read and not listened too!

Michael Kitchen at his best. A thrilling story superbly brought to life. The atmosphere is built extremely well and you are really drawn in towards the thrilling climax. Very difficult to'put down' and highly recommended.

The story is steeped in historical detail and races along to a fantastic conclusion. The reading is superb, with great voicings which bring the different characters to life. All in all a great audio book

This story kept me listening and provided an interesting picture of Russia. The narrator is very good. English is not my first language, so I appreciated the fact that he read at a slightly slower pace.

A good story but hard to listen to because Michael Kitchen's reading style was so slow and expressionless.