The Absolutist

By: John Boyne

Narrated by: Michael Maloney

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Best Solo Narration, 2013

It is September 1919: Twenty-one-year-old Tristan Sadler takes a train from London to Norwich to deliver a package of letters to the sister of Will Bancroft, the man he fought alongside during the Great War. But the letters are not the real reason for Tristan's visit. He can no longer keep a secret and has finally found the courage to unburden himself of it. As Tristan recounts the horrific details of what to him became a senseless war, he also speaks of his friendship with Will - from their first meeting on the training grounds at Aldershot to their farewell in the trenches of northern France. The intensity of their bond brought Tristan happiness and self-discovery as well as confusion and unbearable pain.

The Absolutist is a masterful tale of passion, jealousy, heroism, and betrayal set in one of the most gruesome trenches of France during World War I. This novel will keep listeners on the edge of their seats until its most extraordinary and unexpected conclusion, and it will stay with them long after they've finished.

©2011 John Boyne (P)2012 Tantor

Beautiful Narration

I wrote a short review highly recommending the book the read several reviews critical of the narration. Well, obviously you can’t please everyone, but I thought the narration was perfect. Much of my enjoyment came from the beautiful narration. So, please, do not be put off by the critical reviews of the narrator! You will not regret getting the audible edition.

Heart wrenching and beautiful

This story leads us gracefully and slowly through the story of a soldier during the First World War. It is a gorgeous story of love, and revenge. It leads the reader to question the concepts of courage, principles, survival and happiness. This story will haunt me for some time.

Very gripping book

You are brought straight into WW1 , the training and the horrors, you feel for the narrator but you are angry with him too. Read it to see why. Chilling.

A Thin Red Line Between Love and Hate

WW1 has just begun and two English boys meet during basic training and become fast friends. Tristan lies about his age to enlist because he has been thrown out of his parental house with his father's condemnation that it would be best if he were killed by a German bullet. Will, the son of a vicar, enlists for patriotic reasons. The boys develop an emotional relationship that becomes strained when Will asks Tristan to support him in a point of principle. Tristan, the more pragmatic of the two, refuses because both he and WIll could be put into jeopardy if Will reveals what really happened to a prisoner of war.

John Boyne deftly straddles the line between cowardice and honor and love and hate. He leaves us stunned as we careen toward an ending so unexpected that I cannot get it our of my mind. This novel is a true tour de force.

Heartbreaking and powerful

Would you listen to The Absolutist again? Why?

Yes, even knowing the ultimate outcome, this is nuanced and powerful story, and the narration was fabulous.

What did you like best about this story?

The narrator was really exceptional. I was absolutely drawn into the story, and the question of what constitutes courage.

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

The first performance that I've listened to. Loved his reading of the story.

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

A very emotional story...I was so involved that there were times I felt like speaking directly to the characters. There is a sense of sadness that haunts the story.

Life is seldom what we think it will be

I enjoyed that the characters were flawed and more life like. No heroes, just sorrow and pain.

Gut Wrenching

This book is so engrossing and the narrator does such a fantastic job. This book is enthralling and absolutely devastating in its conclusion.

Heartbreaking

I knew going in that this was to have no happy ending. The sample, the narrator held me, so I downloaded it,,,
And could not stop listening. Finished the same day I started. A good portion of the book I spent with my head in my hands, trying to comfort my heartache. Still could not stop listening. This author and this narrator have moved me more than any others and I’ve read and listened to thousands of books over the years (in my 70s). I don’t do much tv, I love books. This author and narrator are now at the very top of my list. This story will never leave me. I am so thankful to audible “included” for introducing me to these two artists!

Painful and Worth Your Time

Would you listen to The Absolutist again? Why?

I don't like this question. I probably will not listen to this book again---but not because it's not brilliant. It's ugly and I don't want to go through it again. But it is a great work.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Absolutist?

Tristan's meeting with his father before shipping out to war.

What does Michael Maloney bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Does a great job of bringing the characters to life.

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

It sickened me. Man's inhumanity can be overwhelming.

Any additional comments?

I like the book and recommend it but it's not for everyone. You'll gain insight into human suffering but there is nothing uplifting in the book. If you need "happy endings" this wouldn't be for you.

So, I recommend it with a caution.

Chris Reich, TeachU

Tough going

I am torn between 3 and 4 stars for the story. It is beautifully written and well plotted. The characters, however, were not deeply drawn and so my compassion was limited for them despite how terribly sad the story is. I have to say that I strongly disagree with the negative reviews of the narrator. I thought he was superb. His voice is wonderful and he distinguishes between the characters very well. I will actually seek him out. I wonder if some of the criticism of too loud and then too soft might more justly be applied to the sound engineer.