The Keepers of the House

By: Shirley Ann Grau

Narrated by: Anna Fields

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Abigail was the last keeper of the house, the last to know the Howland family's secrets. Now, in the name of all her brothers and sisters, she must take her bitter revenge on the small-minded Southern town that shamed them, persecuted them, but could never destroy them.

Shirley Ann Grau is a major American author whose works are often set in New Orleans and Louisiana's Creole region. She often reflects the isolated bayous and their French-speaking residents, but her fiction is equally at home with the fiercely independent people of small Southern towns or the sophisticated life of the New Orleans' upper class. The Keepers of the House won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1965.

©1964 Shirley Ann Grau (P)1996 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

• Pulitzer Prize Winner, Fiction, 1965

"Shirley Ann Grau is one of those rare writers who create a world, draw the reader into it, and make him somehow happy there, no matter what goes on....One comes to the novel's end with a sense of loss, and leaves that world with reluctance." (Newsweek)

A slow start

I’m so happy that this story was told. This Southern tale takes you back. The ending is the best revenge ever imaginable!

Disappointed

Didn’t understand the motivations of the central character. She seemed to be conflicted between black and white. There were good descriptive words but the story was poor in my opinion.

Keepers of the House

Excellent. The audible was superb! From beginning to end the story was extremely engaging! Bravo!

Disappointed

The first part of the book was just too descriptive and even those it set the tone of the book it just was hard to listen to . The book was okay the story was okay but not worth a second listen and I was left thinking about these characters and how the book would end . Disappointing.

Wonderful narration and story

Most southern set stories are not true to the southern landscape and dialect but this novel is a wonderful exception. Dark and twisted at times it is a story of triumph over bigotry. The author has such an elegant way of describing details of the nature - a true gem.

Wonderful

It’s been ages since I’ve read a book so poetic. I was moved by the description and emotion in the pages. A wonderfully real telling of history.

Surprised by this one

When u started this I got about a few chapters in and thought no, I do t think I’ll enjoy this. It wasn’t the narrator, she’s great, I just wasn’t sure it would keep me interested. Trust me and hang in there. It’s thoughtfully written and told. It takes you right to the heart of this family and keeps you there.

the progression of female resolve and courage

Abigail's grandfather's sense of justice and determination was finally realized in his grand daughter. The story is masterfully written and narrated. It's easy to see how this was a Pulitzer prize winner. It is sad that humanity has exhibited countless examples of hypocrisy through the ages. Stories like this are hopefully lessons for future generations.

very enjoyable

It started slow but I truly enjoyed this book. The narrator is also very good. Highly recommended.

Lengthy Descriptions of Scenery

Once at the end, the entire story made sense and turned out to be very good. The description of the scenery is so long that the effect on the character is lost and become very boring, especially on Margaret. After Margaret, the rest was interesting that I had wished the author had written a bit more of Margaret instead of ending her the first night she come to live with William Howland. There were certain instance where I did not understand Abigail's point of view. The explanations were brief and vague. I gave the book a five star because I thought the narrator had the perfect voice for this story.