Possession

By: A. S. Byatt

Narrated by: Virginia Leishman

Length: 22 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of England's Booker Prize and a literary sensation, Possession is an exhilarating novel of wit and romance, at once an intellectual mystery and a triumphant love story.

As a pair of young scholars research the lives of two Victorian poets, they uncover their letters, journals, and poems and track their movements from London to Yorkshire - from spiritualist seances to the fairy-haunted far west of Brittany. What emerges is an extraordinary counterpoint of passion and ideas.

©1990 A.S. Byatt (P)1999 Recorded Books

Fantastic

I love this story. I have read the book, listened to the audio and watched the movie. A.S. Byatt has a wonderful imagination - the story pulls you in. This audio is great!

Challenging, but Worth It

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

Byatt weaves together two story lines, one set in Victorian England and the other in present day academia, in England. She is an academic herself and this is probably the best (and funniest) portrayal I've come across. At the same time the themes are deep and resonant. It's hard to believe that she made the two Victorian poets out of thin air, they are so clearly drawn.

What did you like best about this story?

Byatt writes beautifully, but mostly she can tell a story that works as a mystery, love story, academic send-up, and an historical.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene in the graveyard was the perfect crisis, exciting, evocative, satirical.

Who was the most memorable character of Possession and why?

Christabel LaMott, the Victorian writer and poet.

Any additional comments?

Byatt composed two sets of poetry for this novel, one for each of the Victorian poets. This is not light reading, but then on the other hand you can get a lot out of this novel even skipping over the poetry. The narrator really delivered, as well.

Excellent reader, fine tale

I enjoyed this. I think I'd be annoyed if someone build a perfect replica of a 19th century building in my neighborhood, but thoroughly enjoyed her conjuring of two fictitious 19th century poets. Go figure!

Romantic mystery about thrilling literature !!

I have a weakness for books about books. I also have a weakness for detective and thriller novels. I further admit to a weakness for romance novels. Enter Possession, a book written via letters, articles and prose which unfurls a mystery about a much studied English poet and a a heretofore unknown friendship (or romantic relationship) with an also studied English poetess, both of whom lived in the mid-1800s. The book takes place in "modern" day around the late 20th century as two Victorian scholars team up and embark upon one of the greatest Victorian literary discoveries of the century. Erudite, skillful, enthralling and edifying, Ms. Byatt displays her considerable skill in writing poetry, adopting different voices in letters and weaving together seemingly disparate family dramas in one triumphant symphony. Brava and a must read.

Take of love list and found of two English poets. poets

Excellent novel of Victorian characters. Great imagery through language and poetry. Mystery surrounds this hidden love story. Ending surprises you when threads of characters’ lives are tied together. Beautiful tale.

audible poetry

When holding the book in my hands, I found the long sections of history and myth woven into poetry interesting in what they revealed about the characters and the author. Strangely, many of these same sections became tedious when translated to the oral format. Perhaps I had jumped ahead or not paid full attention when reading? But when listening there is no effective way of moving the story forward without possibly missing the plot narrative. "Get on with it already!" I cried several times. A warning, the theoretical polemics of post-modern "social scientists" may seem impenetrable to those not embroiled in the verbiage of modern academia; those involved in these fields may see themselves parodied with ironic accuracy. It is words and, as stated by the author, "lists of words that arranged themselves into poems" that form the beauty of this book that ultimately leaves the romantic in tears.

not to be missed

brilliant story, beautiful prose and then there is the poetry, to say nothing of the dog.

A long, lexical love story

very long, complicated 19th century syle poetry and prose, but fantastic narration kept me hooked.

Laudable but unenjoyable

I was excited to listen to this one. I'm an English major and wanted a book I could "get stuck into." Beautifully crafted and worthy of praise in terms of quality of prose, but it left me cold. I couldn't connect or empathize with any of the characters.

Sadly, I just didn't find it rewarding enough to see it through to the end.

Beautiful

Unequivocally beautiful and digestible. Perfect format, easier to comprehend than the written version, for me. the whole experience was a pleasure I didn’t want to end, but I shared the hunger of her characters to discover how the story turned out. So satisfying to have access to the brilliant A.S. Byatt’s magical language without over-taxing my tired brain! Love love love!