The Given Day

By: Dennis Lehane

Narrated by: Michael Boatman

Length: 23 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Set in Boston at the end of the First World War, New York Times best-selling author Dennis Lehane's long-awaited eighth novel unflinchingly captures the political and social unrest of a nation caught at the crossroads between past and future.

Filled with a cast of unforgettable characters more richly drawn than any Lehane has ever created, The Given Day tells the story of two families: one black, one white, swept up in a maelstrom of revolutionaries and anarchists, immigrants and ward bosses, Brahmins and ordinary citizens, all engaged in a battle for survival and power.

Beat cop Danny Coughlin, the son of one of the city's most beloved and powerful police captains, joins a burgeoning union movement and the hunt for violent radicals. Luther Laurence, on the run after a deadly confrontation with a crime boss in Tulsa, works for the Coughlin family and tries desperately to find his way home to his pregnant wife.

Here, too, are some of the most influential figures of the era: Babe Ruth; Eugene O'Neill; leftist activist Jack Reed; NAACP founder W. E. B. DuBois; Mitchell Palmer, Woodrow Wilson's ruthless Red-chasing attorney general; cunning Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge; and an ambitious young Department of Justice lawyer named John Hoover.

Coursing through some of the pivotal events of the time, including the Spanish Influenza pandemic and culminating in the Boston Police Strike of 1919, The Given Day explores the crippling violence and irrepressible exuberance of a country at war with, and in the thrall of, itself. As Danny, Luther, and those around them struggle to define themselves in increasingly turbulent times, they gradually find family in one another and, together, ride a rising storm of hardship, deprivation, and hope that will change all their lives.

©2008 Dennis Lehane (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"[An] engrossing epic....A vision of redemption and a triumph of the human spirit." ( Publishers Weekly)

I loved it

I loved everything about the book from the narration, to the historical referencing, and the the characters.

Great story--captivating and well-written

If you could sum up The Given Day in three words, what would they be?

However; too much profanity. Otherwise, a great story and a heart-warming ending.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Given Day?

Luther killing the "Deacon".

Which character – as performed by Michael Boatman – was your favorite?

Luther--and of course, Danny.

If you could rename The Given Day, what would you call it?

A tale of two men

Any additional comments?

The reader did an incredible job narrating and changing his voices to fit each character.

Amazing!

This book was tremendous! I was completely absorbed by the story from beginning to end. I feel like I lived through all the event with the characters . Michael Bowman was absolutely amazing in his narration. He made the book truly come alive with his incredible ability and spot on accents!

Great listen!

Haven’t read Lehane in quite awhile. Was very pleased. Although it was quite long, I truly enjoyed it. Boatman is an awesome narrator and especially good at storytelling.

Fascinating History and Story

The best part of this audiobook was the narrator, who managed to convey the Boston accent, Irish accent, and Black dialect without a racist tinge. As a history teacher I applaud the accuracy of the setting and time period.

An incredible story

I absolutely loved this book. The weaving of story and history was well done. Full of beautiful moments and tragic moments.

Maybe the best audiobook performance I have listened to. Boatman pulls off a masterclass of narration with so many distinct accents and voices. The performance alone is worth the listen. An amazing book all around.

An audio to live in!

I started out reading this book for our book club at work, and realized I wouldn't get it finished in time for our meeting, so I downloaded the audio to speed the process. I read the book in bed at night and then found my place on the audio each morning in order to listen on the way to and from work and during lunch. The narrator nails the characters' accents perfectly, from Irish to southern African American to Russian to Bostonian. Dennis Lehane presents an intimate, emotional view of a most fascinating era of American history; a view that I certainly never saw in any history class - with details from every side of the story. This one should be required reading for high school English, social studies and American history alike. Chock full of interesting details that will lead you to desire more information about history, politics, business, religion, human rights, human nature,the formation of unions, and about your own beliefs.

Not Lehane I usually like

I liked the historical fiction, but it could have used less description and more action.

Just okay...

Good setting. The story dragged. I was expecting intensity. It was lacking.

Solid read by Boatman.

Good historical novel.

Great characters, ok plot. I wonder how factual it is. Superb narration adds to the enjoyment.