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Crossings  By  cover art

Crossings

By: Alex Landragin
Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik, Raphael Corkhill
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Publisher's summary

Alex Landragin's Crossings is an unforgettable and explosive genre-bending debut - a novel in three parts, designed to be read in two different directions, spanning 150 years and seven lifetimes.

*To listen to this novel straight through, just play the program from the beginning. To listen to the Baroness Sequence, start with Download Part 2 at 12 hours, 21 minutes.*

On the brink of the Nazi occupation of Paris, a German-Jewish bookbinder stumbles across a manuscript called Crossings. It has three narratives, each as unlikely as the next. And the narratives can be listened to one of two ways: either straight through or according to an alternate chapter sequence.

The first story in Crossings is a never-before-seen ghost story by the poet Charles Baudelaire, penned for an illiterate girl. Next is a noir romance about an exiled man, modeled on Walter Benjamin, whose recurring nightmares are cured when he falls in love with a storyteller who draws him into a dangerous intrigue of rare manuscripts, police corruption, and literary societies. Finally, there are the fantastical memoirs of a woman-turned-monarch whose singular life has spanned seven generations.

With each new chapter, the stunning connections between these seemingly disparate people grow clearer and more extraordinary. Crossings is an unforgettable adventure full of love, longing and empathy. Crossings is an unforgettable adventure full of love, longing, and empathy.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

"A high-concept speculative adventure novel executed with intelligence and grace, Australian writer Landragin’s debut contains a story within a story within a story. Crossings is an invigorating puzzle of a book that reads like a complete, intricate work of genre-defying fiction rather than just a cool gimmick." (Vulture)

"A sparkling debut. Landragin’s seductive literary romp shines as a celebration of the act of storytelling." (Publishers Weekly)

"Romance, mystery, history, and magical invention dance across centuries in an impressive debut novel." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

©2020 Alex Landragin (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

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Astounding!

Yay I went through one way, will wait to listen to it the other way;)

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4 people found this helpful

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A commitment- worth it if you stick it out

I struggled to keep the characters and timelines straight in this book initially because of all the French names of people and places. However, eventually got a system for myself. SO clever how this story is reassembled a second time to tell a different story. I WISH I had read it the 2nd way first! My best advice is- no matter which way you choose first- DO BOTH! Don’t stop after one! The whole thing is 24 hours- a commitment— but worth it!

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2 people found this helpful

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Can’t wait to read it the other way!

I loved this book, and I enjoyed thinking while listening, seeing the parts working with each other.

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3 people found this helpful

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A relatable mysticism

This is no small story. When I was halfway through I started appreciating the complexity of Landragin’s story telling. There are some heady moments in here and it does require some careful attention to understand how a character has landed, where they are going, and all that is left behind. I don’t think there is any simple way to tell this story. After reading the Baroness sequence I would like to read it cover to cover. I think it will translate differently and allow me a chance to fully grasp the mechanics of each characters’ tale since there were some moments I felt lost. The story is relatable too — wouldn’t we all like to jump into another life to alleviate the pain we feel in this one, to have the chance of starting over, to experience the thrill of living in someone else’s shoes. Overall this story is hard to put down and I highly recommend it to those who enjoy a good mystical flare interwoven in historical themes and settings.

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Very unlikable

This book was very hard to follow, which the author did do on purpose. If you Iike being confused and annoyed while reading than go for it.

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Worst is book I ever bought

It’s a totally ridiculous story. One of the few books i have been unable to finish. I’m returning it to audible.

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don't bother

crazy hated it, weird stupid story, couldn't finish it. sorry I spent a credit on it

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3 people found this helpful