Julie

This story stuck with me - a cautionary tale of what can happen to the "odd" child in a family full of secrets and betrayals.

Some of the aspects of this story are so old fashioned - duels,and all that - but some amazingly modern in terms of attitude toward things like extra-marital relations, lesbianism, politics. And ultimately it's very philosophical. I always thought it was just an adventure book but really its so much more.

Loved everything about this and wished I'd heard it before I ever saw the mini-series.

Another example of how some of the best books don't get the most press. This is a really great book to listen to, a marvelous hero that real people can identify with.

The genius of Hugo (and Dickens) is that he understands that everyone is the hero of their own life. They aren't just accessories in someone else's. In that sense he's one of the world's most democratic writers. The story of each character is worth listening to for its own sake.

I can't resist anything to do with oriental rugs, so that was the hook. But the book is so much more - a very tender illumination of the immigrant's experience, and what it means to be an outsider in America. I loved it.

So how could I resist a story with a circus, a love story, and a right good curmudgeon? I couldn't. This is a wonderful book which hasn't recieved nearly enough attention.

This book is the perfect example of how the world's big events are just background to our private dramas for most of us, and what a struggle it is to escape from the confines of our small lives and our self-delusions into something bigger and more alive. It gives you a lot to think about.

This book has the feel of a Bergman film, or perhaps of an iceberg floating in the northern seas, so little is said but so much is felt floating beneath the surface. It's the perfect listen for a night before the fire with a good bottle of wine and lots of solitude.

I love these historical series where you follow a couple of families through time. This is one of the best. I found every excuse I could to plug in and listen and absolutely whizzed through all three. The narrator is perfect.

I love these historical series where you follow a couple of families through time. This is one of the best. I found every excuse I could to plug in and listen and absolutely whizzed through all three. The narrator is perfect.