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The Lotus Eaters  By  cover art

The Lotus Eaters

By: Tatjana Soli
Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
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Publisher's summary

It's 1975 and the North Vietnamese army is poised to roll into Saigon. As the city falls into chaos, two lovers make their way across the city to escape to a new life. Helen Adams, an American photojournalist, must take leave of a devastated country she has come to love. Nguyen Pran Linh, the man who loves her, must deal with his own conflicted loyalties. As they race through the streets, they play out a drama of love and betrayal that began 12 years before. Their mentor, the larger-than-life war correspondent Sam Darrow, was once Helen’s infuriating lover and fiercest competitor, as well as Linh’s secret keeper, protector, and truest friend. As the sun sets on their life in Saigon, Helen and Linh struggle against both their inner demons and the ghosts of the past, illuminating the horrors of war, the dangers of obsession, and the redemptive power of love.

©2010 Tatjana Soli (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The novel is steeped in history, yet gorgeous sensory details enliven the prose….35 years after the fall of Saigon, Soli’s entrancing debut brings you close enough to feel a part of it." ( People magazine)

What listeners say about The Lotus Eaters

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best book in the Vietnam War

I had red 3 books about the Vietnam War. The Quiet American, The Sympathizer and The Lotus Eaters. The Lotus eaters in my opinion is the best of the three. This book was writer under the view of a photographer, that love the Vietnam land, and the people. Tatjana Soli writes beautiful, I did not get tire, I will love to go to see Vietnam. Kirsten Potter did a great job with the book. It is a book a will listen again.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

pretty good

it was pretty good. it is difficult to find a vietnam novel by a women. this did the trick. it could have been better, but was good.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Breathtaking!

This is beautiful narrated. An absolute "pager turner". I could not stop listening! I love the way this author writes. I will be devouring her other work!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Slow start - beautiful book

Took me a little while to get into it, but glad I stayed with it. Excellent narration - doesn't overwhelmed the story and was exactly right.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Surprisingly intriguing

Great story full of vivid details. I couldn't wait to listen to more and complete the journey.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well written and well performed.

There is an irony in the war photographers' quest for personal achievement and acclaim being so petty in comparison to the scope of combat atrocities photographed and personal risk endured to get the pictures.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Lost Generation

This is a good book but the narrators voice was so soothing it allowed me to day dream too much about other things. I think it would have been a much better book with a better narrator.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Travels in the Vietnam war, by a photographer.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone, it is read, not given characterization, but the readers voice is quite calm and soothing. Voices would have been way too hard, due to the ethnicity of many participants.i

Who was your favorite character and why?

I would have to say Helen, although the story tends to focus on her in the book. In actually, there were a few people with whom were standouts.

Did Kirsten Potter do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I don't feel she did any characterization, just read, not giving emotion to anyone, but in your minds eye, you could see and feel the differences.

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

I wasn't pleased with the way the book ended. When the prisoners are being released, you had hope that the Vietnamese man, whom was already in the states, safe, he chose to go to Cambodia to get Helen out safely, if possible. I guess I wanted a good ending, not just ended.

Any additional comments?

I will re-use to this more than once. The title was a tad misleading, but the book was meaty and gave a full measure.

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