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)

Anticipation that is too much to bear

What did you like best about this story?

Charles Frazen is quite the language artist. He draws just beautiful pictures that paint exact paintings in your mind. You can see the beauty of the surroundings - the characters and there actions. He also paints fear. When I wasn't listening I was fearful for what would happen next. Not wanting to hear the tragedy that I feared I didn't rush to listen at every chance. Just when you think you can't stand it - he lays on something more to think and worry about.

Which character – as performed by Will Patton – was your favorite?

He did a great job performing as the most evil to the most meek.

If you could rename Nightwoods, what would you call it?

Stillwater

Any additional comments?

I chose this book because of the wonderful comments about the author. I too was quite impressed with his work and will be looking for other work done by both.

This book was worth the money. A story I will be thinking about for a long time.

Characters remain

Too much description in the beginning, not enough movement, but stayed with it just to listen to Will Patton. In the end, a few days after finishing, I found I missed the characters.

What a treat.

Listening to this while driving makes the trip slide by enjoyably. All of Mr. Frazier's books are a treat.

wow

great story with deep well defined characters. will patten is a perfect reader. what's next?

I'll listen to anything narrated by Will Patton.

Story was intriguing, but the ending petered out... I really love these books but I'm left wanting answers. If I'm supposed to use my imagination, why buy a book at all?

Great story line, read by the best!

Nightwoods was the first Charles Frazier book for me, but it definitely will not be the last. I selected it because of Will Patton. To me the reader is just as important as the book. Will Patton has never disappointed me and he truly made this story come to life. I suspect he does not read anything he does not believe in.

The characters in this novel are not always loveable people, but they are very believable. Luce, Stubblefield, the twins (Delores & Frank), Mattie, Lit, and Bud with bumps, bruises, and baggage, are vivid and memorable.

Bottom line, if you are looking for a compelling story, performed by a great reader, your credit will be well spent here!

Vivid, descriptions, well drawn characters.

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

Vivid. Well read.

Any additional comments?

I would read any thing by Charles Frazier and listen to anything read by Will Patton.

Perfectly Wonderful

Charles Frazier is one of the premier writers of our time.
This book showcases him at his very best.

And Will Patton could read the phone book - backwards - and I'd be happy to listen to it.
He should read aloud every single book in the Audible library; he's THAT good.

Don't miss this stunning tour de force. It's worth every penny. It's worth every minute of your time.
It's splendid.

night woods

it was a beautiful and visual masterpiece that took my mind to the very place.

Loved it

What made the experience of listening to Nightwoods the most enjoyable?

The story was engaging from the beginning. Great job narrating also.

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

I've listened to one other book narrated by will Patton. I greatly enjoyed both.