Heather

The author is an apt narrator for this novel, and his voice seemed perfectly suited to describe the experience of the main character. There is an easy flow to the narration that is nice to listen to. This novel explores illness and its effects on the arc of the characters' lives. While the actual illness suffered by the main character is a fictional, improbable one, the way in which his work, family and self must adapt is thought-provoking. Anyone who has dealt with chronic illness will find threads to identify with here, but there is much in this book about the human condition in general. A little slow to start - I enjoyed the second half more.

I tried really hard to finish this book, but I just can't. There are so many characters and such complex relationships that it's extremely hard to follow. For a real history buff fluent in the events of the time this might be wonderful, but it became a chore for me. This book might be better in print, when one can flip back to refresh character's names, etc.

I LOVED listening to this book - I laid awake late at night listening because I couldn't stop. Not only is this a wonderful novel, the narration is fabulous. There are three narrators for three different characters, and each is perfect. I fell in love with the voices and characters, and can still hear them now! My husband listened after me and loved it just as much.