The power of words.

Thought provoking - How words / stories can be used powerfully for good or twisted for bad. Barbara Kingsolver tells a story linking USA Mexico and communism Powerful true historical characters all connected by a quiet observer and habitual recorder, fictional -Harrison Shepherd.
Post war fear and misinformation in USA post war believed by the masses makes outcasts of the innocent So much can be reflected today and perhaps every period of history.

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Authors are not actors

What a pity that the author chose to narrate this novel. She is not an actor and her reading is stilted and monotonous. I did not even finish listening to the first part - the narration was a barrier to listen to the story. The story itself was of limited appeal with little character development. This is a pity because Kingsolver came highly recommended.

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3 people found this helpful

Narration definitely lets it down

I have to agree with the first two reviewers. The style and patter of the narration really did make it difficult for me enjoy this book. It is just like someone reading the book to you as a 'read out loud' exercise at School. The professional actors change pace and change voices to let you keep track of the characters, which is seriously lacking in this book. There are interesting parts of the story, including Trotsky's exile in America. However the monotonous narration meant I often drifted off and eventually after listening to about two-thirds, decided to give-up for the time-being. The story isn't pacey or gripping enough to compensate for the slow and dull narration.

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3 people found this helpful

sad but true

Excellent story, great narration. learnt loads, esp. that there wasnt a time USA was 'great'

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An absolute joy

I loved this so much! An absolutely beautiful story of a boy who finds himself working as a cook in Diego Rivera's house in Mexico. He becomes friends with Frida Kahlo and Trotsky but that's not even the main story which is really about his journey to becoming an author during a crazy time in America where McCarthyists are trying to eradicate anyone who was critical of the government while the Polio epidemic is killing everyone else (I read this to distract me from current events, which is hilarious. It has a lot of resonance for the present times!) And the ending is perfection. Just completely lovely in every way.

I really enjoyed Barbara Kingsolver's narration- it's very clear and well paced and I liked her rendition of Mrs Brown, the secretary, a lot.

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2 people found this helpful

Exceptional history lesson

Everyone who wants to understand how the USA became a world power and what hurts USers had to endure to render them numb to the suffering of others should read this book! We often think that the victors in a war simply benefit from its spoils. That too is true but in addition to that, ordinary people in the US were so terrified by war (in this case WWII) that they ended up as helpless victims of their own government when it came after their own civil liberties. Masterful and insightful storytelling from Barbara Kingsolver - I have listened to every one of her books read by herself and I am always delighted and moved and learn more of history with every one.

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent!

Starts slowly but becomes a compelling story of world events and cultural battles, fashioned around a convincing, though ultimately fictional lead character. HWS is a complex and engaging humanist, disappointed to find he wasn’t real, particularly following the ending!

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Well, I like her voice!

Strangely enough, the fact that the writer herself narrated the novel was an attraction for me. She also read one of her earlier novels (Prodigal Summer) herself, and I enjoy her narration very much. Yes, you can tell she's not a professional reader and her evocation of one or two of the characters not perfect, but for me this is more than compensated for when she describes the natural world; flowers, plants, birds, insects, animals, landscapes. And for me her evocation of early twentieth century Mexico was wonderful; the heat, colours, food and people. I find her voice with its gentle Southern US lilt very soothing and enjoyable to listen to. The subject matter itself made for a great story and has made me want to learn more about the relationship between Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo and their work.

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29 people found this helpful

Oh thank goodness it is FINISHED

19 hours and 14 minutes. Was that really all? It felt longer.
Yes, the parts about Mexico were interesting. Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, well, you learned a little of them, and of Trotsky.
And descriptions of post-war America and racial neuroses were shocking - mirrored in the Trump administration of today.
But OH the tedium of the main character, and of his secretary - their thoughts, lives, dreams.
Barbara Kingsolver wrote a brilliant book in The Poisonwood Bible. What happened here??
And she should not read her own books aloud to an audience.
Not recommended.

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Such an Interesting, Beautiful Book.

This book was recommended to me by a friend. For the first couple of chapters, I didn't think I was going to like it and then it took off!

I have listened to so many fabulous books since joining Audible, but this is one of my favourites.
The way in which Barbara Kingsolver narrates her own words is precise and hypnotising and her range of different voices for the characters really made the story come to life for me.
I AM IN LOVE WITH VIOLET BROWN!
I loved her voice and her choice of words and the gentle love and kindness that she showed to Harrison.
The range of subjects in this book was incredible, I learnt a lot about Frida, Diego and Lev Trotsky and whilst I had heard about the Communism 'witch hunt' in America, this book really brought the paranoia to life.
Such a great tale, I loved it!

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