Nightwoods

A Novel

By: Charles Frazier

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

The extraordinary author of Cold Mountain and Thirteen Moons returns with a dazzling new novel of suspense and love set in small-town North Carolina in the early 1960s.

Charles Frazier puts his remarkable gifts in the service of a lean, taut narrative while losing none of the transcendent prose, virtuosic storytelling, and insight into human nature that have made him one of the most beloved and celebrated authors in the world. Now, with his brilliant portrait of Luce, a young woman who inherits her murdered sister’s troubled twins, Frazier has created his most memorable heroine.

Before the children, Luce was content with the reimbursements of the rich Appalachian landscape, choosing to live apart from the small community around her. But the coming of the children changes everything, cracking open her solitary life in difficult, hopeful, dangerous ways.

Charles Frazier is known for his historical literary odysseys, and for making figures in the past come vividly to life. Set in the 20th century, Nightwoods resonates with the timelessness of a great work of art.

©2011 Charles Frazier (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR CHARLES FRAZIER: “Natural-born storytellers come along only rarely. Charles Frazier joins the ranks of that elite cadre on the first page of his astonishing debut.” ( Newsweek on Cold Mountain)

“Prose filled with grace notes and trenchant asides ... a Whitmanesque foray into America: into its hugeness, its freshness, its scope and its soul ... such a memorable book.” ( The New York Times Book Review on Cold Mountain)

“Frazier works on an epic scale, but his genius is in the details - he has a scholar’s command of the physical realities of early America and a novelist’s gift for bringing them to life.” ( Time on Thirteen Moon)

Written and Oral Excellence

I am an Audible addict and often listen to ten books a week, all genres. It is always exciting to discover a truly well-written and narrated book that startles and awakens my verve, and humbles me to the perfect orchestration of thought, word, and speech. I'm again inspired that not all entertaining media need be mundane, crass, or boisterous. The supreme beauty lies in the sublime and you'll discover it in this quiet gem of a book. 5++++++

Dark and Riveting

Detailed and vivid descriptions of a small Appalachian town and surrounding mountains. The characters are arguably stereotypical, but feel real and tangible. The story is deeply satisfying and riveting. Well narrated, particularly Bud and the other male characters.

Loved this

Couldn’t stop listening. Beautiful language and a compelling story. I was sad when it ended.

Great writing and story

Sometimes I have trouble following a story when the good writing makes me want to read it on page. This book is very well written, with loads of beautiful metaphors and similes as well as descriptions, but the narrator was awesome; so the tense plot wasn't lost in the world of words. Loved it.

great read

sad but wonderful story telling. Charles Frazier's writing style draws me in whatever the topic. Will Patton's narration is excellent as usual. I will certainly look for more projects by both.

Discriptive writing

Would you listen to Nightwoods again? Why?

Probably not

What was one of the most memorable moments of Nightwoods?

The snowy, scarey night in the woods.

Which scene was your favorite?

Seeing the children play with kindling.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book reminded me so often of my childhood at my grandparents' farm in the Tennessee mountains.

Beautifully written, not much plot

If you could sum up Nightwoods in three words, what would they be?

Beautifully written imagery

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Like everything read by Will Patton, Nightwoods sounds lovely and poetic. Of course he picks wonderfully written works, as this novel is. But, then again, I was thoroughly impressed at the gravity and drama in his reading of the credits at the end! Wow! I don't doubt Will Patton could instill rapt attention reading the phone book.

Any additional comments?

Read this book for character and lovely descriptions, but don't expect a great resolution.

Will Patton is amazing

I choose books that are read by Will Patton and have come across books that may have never interested me and because of Will I have been introduced to some really good books, though I am also convinced he could read a car manual and make it sound amazing!!

Simple story, beautifully written, perfect narration.

My first book byFrazier, so impressed with his lovely prose. Will Patton is my favorite narrator and he moves this story along like floating on a lazy river- so smooth.

Another Classic for Fraizier

Frazier’s use of language and ability to tell a story makes for the perfect audiobook in Nightwoods. His sense of place and time captures the listener’s attention and thoughts. As with his other books, you can see that he has researched the time period and the subject matter. His description of children suffering from post traumatic shock is both accurate and sympathetic. By the end of the book, the listener is actively engaged in the plot and understanding of the well-developed characters, those we love and hate. As a person from North Carolina, his use of words and the wonderful narration of Will Patton rings with authenticity. Perhaps if Randy Boyagoda who reviewed Nightwoods for the NY Times had listened to the book he would have better appreciated Frazier’s use of language. I highly recommend this book.