Serena

By: Ron Rash

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

The year is 1929, and newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton arrive in the North Carolina mountains to create a timber empire, vowing to let no one stand in their way, especially those newly rallying around Teddy Roosevelt's nascent environmental movement.

Yet when Serena begins to suspect that George's allegiances may lie elsewhere, she unleashes her full fury on the young mountain woman who bore his illegitimate child the year before. Rash's masterful balance of violence and beauty yields a powerfully riveting story that, at its core, tells of love both honored and betrayed.

©2008 Ron Rash (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Really enjoyed! 28 yr. old male reviewer

I actually really enjoyed this book despite some of the other reviews. I loved the characters and loved to hate Serena, I loved the ending it through me for a loop and was left thinking about the book for a week or two after I had finished it. Great work Mr. Rash

Great Listen

I loved listening to this book. The narrator's change in voice for characters made them come alive for me and I realized about halfway through that reading the book would not have been nearly as entertaining. I particularly liked the "Greek Chorus" voices as they pulled much of the story together. Serena is an evil character--that's evident early on, but the ending was still a surprise.

Timber and National Parks

I choose to listen to this story in order to expand my Appalachian reading. The author was able to build the imagery of the mountains well and tells the overall heart of the highlanders in the timber camps well. I honestly do not like the story, but it is well written and beautifully told.

If you have ever been to Cass in West Virginia and ridden the old train up the mountain there, you will find this story fascinating. It has also sparked my interest in learning more about the creation of the National Parks. I also find it to be a theme we hear on repeat in Appalachia: If not for the (insert whichever fossil fuel or land destroying industry) what would we do to feed our families. In that since we often invite industry to take not only resources but the best of us time and time again.

Intriguing story and informative backstory. js

This is my third listening experience. The narrator brings the characters alive. They are three dementional ! I loved this book.

Subtle Genius

Through much of this book, I was prepared to hate it. The character of Serena walked the edge of a stereotypical strong, yet witchy woman. I wanted so much to be surprised and to have Serena be different, to have her be complex and multi-layered. I wanted to feel conflicted about her. All of my wishes were granted and much more by Ron Rash.
This book seems like a simple story, but it's not. There are multiple stories and themes and social commentary and character developments all going on at the same time. I'll be fascinated to see how it is played out in a movie because the complexity of these characters can be tough to portray in 2 hours.
Buy this book and listen to it, and when you do, pay special attention to the group of guys that I deemed "the clowns" in my mind. Rash uses them like the "chorus" from theater of old (except much more entertaining). Rash moves the story along and brings comedic relief with a group of workers who are funny and smart and are on the outside looking in--they are the guys who REALLY know what's going on. They are originally led by the camp's preacher. It took me a few chapters to really appreciate them and I wish I'd been astute enough to realize how important they were to the story from the beginning.
I gave the performance only 4 stars because the narrator didn't become as invisible as he could have. I was impressed at his voice of Serena, but his general narration was overly dramatic and he struggled in switching between accents.
I recommend.

Enjoyable

I enjoyed the story, but not the voices of the narrator as much. I can't wait to see the movie!

Movie Material!

This would make a marvelous movie with these two actors; however, it falls short as a "listen" by comparison. I kept wishing I could watch it instead, and I will!

Great Book!

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

Three words: engaging, gripping, unpredictable

What did you like best about this story?

I was almost put off from listening to this book based on all of the mixed reviews. I'm glad I decided otherwise. I was completely emersed into the storyline. The characters are interesting and multi-dimensional. The narrator does an amazing job in bringing the characters and story to life. The storyline is captivating. I was completely drawn in by the story and narrator. I sometimes grow weary of the books I am listening to and have to take an extended break from them. This was not the case with this book. I found that I could not stop listening to it!

Which character – as performed by Phil Gigante – was your favorite?

Gigante is an excellent narrator! I enjoyed his pacing, tone, and voice choices for the characters. He has a rather masculine voice however he was able to soften it in just the right way to read for Serena, while still staying true the curt and obsessive nature of her character.

Any additional comments?

If you believe you are interested in this book, please do not let the mixed reviews sway you. I'm really glad I chose to listen to this story!

Became a burden to listen to.

Very one dimensional characters and overall story lagged in longer than it should have. Just didn't enjoy it. Watch the movie.

Great

Would you listen to Serena again? Why?

I really enjoyed this book but probably would not listen to it again. I rather listen to another book.

Has Serena turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.