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The Mandelbaum Gate

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The Mandelbaum Gate

By: Muriel Spark
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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The Mandelbaum Gate divides the conflict-torn realm of Jerusalem, separating Israel from Jordan. Barbara Vaughn, a stubborn young English woman and half-Jewish Catholic convert, insists upon crossing the divide in order to rendezvous with her fiancé, in spite of the very real danger. Her quest sets off a series of bizarre situations and adventures, set against the backdrop of the Eichmann trial of 1961.

Muriel Spark has created a many-faceted novel, both comic and serious, enriched by a wealth of information.

©1965 Muriel Spark (P)1994 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Middle East
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Critic reviews

"[Davidson] achieve[s] successful transitions through deliberate pauses and changes of voice. Thus, we're able to follow the many tangents the author uses to enrich the story and our listening pleasure." ( AudioFile)
"English-accented Frederick Davidson turns in a memorable performance." ( Library Journal)
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The narrator didn’t work for me. It’s probably just me, definitely try the sample first.

Great Story, nasally narration.

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I have liked all the previous Muriel Spark audiobooks I have listened to. I can barely follow the story of this one after almost three hours as the narrator is so bad. So affected and mannered and almost every sentence has the same phrasing and cadence. I’m sure there’s some humour in there but it is utterly lost with Frederick Davidson’s narration. Wikipedia describes him as being a ‘Marmite’ narrator, so you might like him. Listen to the sample. I am sure the book would be good if differently read. (Am not allowed to give zero stars for performance… and performance is definitely is - ugh!)

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Confusing novel at times.Spark's hallmark crispness, brio & sleight of hand are evident. Enjoyably dated!

A Literary Curio

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Appalling narration, totally ridiculous and detracts from the wonderful writing of the author. The narrator uses an extremely affected tone throughout, which is really distracting.

Great novel ruined by the affected narration

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I want to say a good ‘romp’….almost in the Whitehall farce league ….all the old style Brits overseas which permitted the likes of the Cambridge spies to run amok unsuspected….except our protagonist is sharp, suspicious yet still retaining old school bluster. The naive Brits in the hands of knowing foreigners, except it’s a double or perhaps triple bluff. I have only just started reading/listening to Muriel Spark…fabulous writer of great wry humour. The narrator’s style is in keeping with the time in which the book is set. Bear with him.

Very, very amusing

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