The Enchanted

A Novel

By: Rene Denfeld

Narrated by: Jim Frangione

A wondrous and redemptive debut novel, set in a stark world where evil and magic coincide, The Enchanted combines the empathy and lyricism of Alice Sebold with the dark, imaginative power of Stephen King.

"This is an enchanted place. Others don’t see it, but I do." The enchanted place is an ancient stone prison, viewed through the eyes of a death row inmate who finds escape in his books and in re-imagining life around him, weaving a fantastical story of the people he observes and the world he inhabits. Fearful and reclusive, he senses what others cannot. Though bars confine him every minute of every day, he marries visions of golden horses running beneath the prison, heat flowing like molten metal from their backs with the devastating violence of prison life.

Two outsiders venture here: a fallen priest and the Lady, an investigator who searches for buried information from prisoners’ pasts that can save those soon-to-be-executed. Digging into the background of a killer named York, she uncovers wrenching truths that challenge familiar notions of victim and criminal, innocence and guilt, honesty and corruption—ultimately revealing shocking secrets of her own.

Beautiful and transcendent, The Enchanted reminds us of how our humanity connects us all, and how beauty and love exist even amidst the most nightmarish reality.

Very well written, very sad story.

What other book might you compare The Enchanted to and why?

For some reason, the brief and wondrous life of oscar wao. Very different stories, but the same kind of morose sadness prevails.

Any additional comments?

Don't expect to be in any way uplifted or hopeful upon finishing. Very well written though.

Original, Haunting, and Heartbreaking

A uniquely original story, combining beautiful magical imagery and the grimmest of settings, a prison dungeon. Attempting to describe the book would not do it justice. It won't appeal to everyone, but I found it beautiful and moving. The narrator did an excellent reading.

Beautiful

Dark. Poetic. Deep. Provocative.Real.magical.Soul Touching. I was enthralled. Changed and left intrigued and impressed.

The Enchanted .....

If you have a strong heart and a faith in mankind, The Enchanted is a must read. If you start it, you should finish it or you might be left with raw, angry confusion. It may change some ideas you had formed and may help you understand baffling circumstances and people. It may enchant you.

Painful topic but well written

Interesting insight into prison life. I wished the lady had been referred to by name, though I can understand why the author didn't as a literary device.