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What Binds Us  By  cover art

What Binds Us

By: Larry Benjamin
Narrated by: Richard Magnus
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Publisher's summary

Thomas Edward is only a teenager when he escapes his working class neighborhood. He's ready for anything—except the arrival of Donovan Whyte in his life. Sophisticated and dazzlingly handsome, Dondi quickly becomes the center of Thomas Edward's universe, introducing him to a world full of drama, passion and feuding families.

When their relationship fizzles, they remain uneasy friends until Dondi invites Thomas Edward to his family's summer house. Thomas Edward is immediately attracted to Dondi's mysterious brother, Matthew—and finds himself hopelessly drawn to both men.

As time passes, Thomas Edward develops a unique bond with both brothers as they orbit around each other, although he knows only one of them can be his lifelong love. Will the three of them be able to find a way to hold on to each other? Or will love, its loss, and the threat of death destroy their connection once and for all?

©2012 Larry Benjamin (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

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What listeners say about What Binds Us

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Kd
  • 08-09-12

Worth the Lost Sleep

This is easily the best book I've listened to in a very, very long time. I'm very into erotica and romance. This was not purely romance and definitely not erotica. But it was about love, both romantic and familial and primarily centered around males. I'm a female, but I absolutely, unquestionably loved it. The story was great. But beyond that, it's the language, the terminology used by the author. He has a finesse for stating things in such beautiful ways that every word resonated with me deeply. It's not a feel good book, but still, through my tears, I was both happy and sad. It was moving in both positive and sad ways, which few books manage to accomplish. I could go on, but I think you get the message. I don't think I've ever given any book 5 stars across the board. But I couldn't identify anything negative about my experience with this book. I'm writing this shortly after I finished the book, so my rating may be based on my continual afterglow. Whatever the cause, this book is worth a listen.

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29 people found this helpful

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

Masterpiece!! Fabulous narration.

What made the experience of listening to What Binds Us the most enjoyable?

Everything. The characters, the story and definitely the narrator. He made the characters come alive. This is one of those books that stays with you for years after and you smile about it.

What other book might you compare What Binds Us to and why?

The Great Gatsby. The author is a master of the English language.

Which character – as performed by Richard Magnus – was your favorite?

Dondi,but all are great.

Who was the most memorable character of What Binds Us and why?

Dondi. Although the story is not told from his POV, it is mostly his story as seen by his best friend Thomas Edward. Thomas' romance is also beautiful but it mostly a historical memoir about Dondi's experience.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the best books I've ever listened to and one of the best books period.

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12 people found this helpful

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

What a great surprise!

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

I was expecting another light read, something that I'd fly through quickly. But what I got was a beautifully written engaging story involving complex characters who touched my heart. I can't wait for Larry Benjamin to publish another book. This was a real find, and it will stay with me for a long time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Thomas Edward, the narrator, shows the reader a world much different from his own. He is kind and loving, and these traits make him credible and finally someone the reader cares a lot about.

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

I loved it. The story is unique and dynamic, populated with richly drawn complicated characters. I was very moved.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A unique journey!

This was another book I listened to by audio version and I really enjoyed it. The narrator, Richard Magnus, together with an engrossing story, kept me riveted for the whole 7 hour duration.

This story was a journey. It is the story of Thomas Edward who is swept up into the world of Dondi and his brother Matthew. Dondi and Matthew's upbringing is a world away from Thomas Edward's own background and the character's themselves are unique.

The story begins with Thomas Edward having a relationship with Dondi. But Dondi isn't the sort of man to be tied down in a relationship. However his friendship with Thomas Edward maintains steadfast and he flits in and out of his life. Importantly, he introduces Thomas Edward to his unusual family including his brother, Matthew.

This is a story of love and family and craziness. It's interesting and unique. It's emotional and it's sad. Somewhat into the story I began to expect what the outcome might be but it made it no less emotional.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Far beyond the average MM romance

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

Definitely. It was a very satisfying, very emotional book. It is way beyond the standard of the usual MM romance fiction.

What other book might you compare What Binds Us to and why?

It has some of the feel of the Great Gatsby and even Brideshead Revisited. The glamorous but dangerous and self-destructive scion of a wealthy family is a sort of modern American equivalent of Lord Sebastian Flyte. But it is a much more modern novel than either of those.

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

Nothing particularly unexpected, but he did a very good job.

If you could rename What Binds Us, what would you call it?

Don't know

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story

Where does What Binds Us rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Compared to the other audiobooks I've listened to, "What Binds Us" is a great read.

What did you like best about this story?

What I liked best about this story are the characters and their developing relationships. In some way I was able to relate to their friendships and in someway their story line.

What about Richard Magnus’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed the way he maintained a distinguish between the characters by using a different tone of voice, and the way he portrayed the characters personality.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to read this book in one sitting but was unable to due to work. I did chapters 1-7 driving to and from work, and 8-30 on my day off work today, finished in 3 days.

Any additional comments?

A definite must READ!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love lasts forevrr

Would you listen to What Binds Us again? Why?

Absolutely. The premise of the love story is more than two people and more than just romantic love. It is about making a family.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Edward Thomas. He started as a young college student in love/lust and became a man that understood the different forms of love and built a family on that foundation.

Which character – as performed by Richard Magnus – was your favorite?

Dondi

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

In sickness and in health love blossoms

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Yes depressing but so darn good!

Would you listen to What Binds Us again? Why?

Absolutely

What other book might you compare What Binds Us to and why?

The return by Brad Boney

What about Richard Magnus’s performance did you like?

He is a solid narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Impossible. There is too much to process. It needs breaks.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Overwrought and Melodramatic

The author has talent - unfortunately, enough that I kept listening past the point where I wanted to stop. By the end though, I just wanted it over. The story became more and more melodramatic. The characters were unrealistic and unbelievable, except for perhaps the mc. The situation was predictable. Just take a pass.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Save your money

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This book is not something I can recommend. It was tedious and did not get any better from the start. I only listened to the first few chapters and they were painful. It is a period piece which is part of what I found difficult to listen to.

Has What Binds Us turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not the genre, but definitely the author.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Richard Magnus?

The narrator was ok. If the story had been better I would have had no problem with the narration. The story is so bad it colors everything else.

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2 people found this helpful