• Winter's Tale

  • By: Mark Helprin
  • Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
  • Length: 27 hrs and 46 mins
  • 3.3 out of 5 stars (1,096 ratings)

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Winter's Tale

By: Mark Helprin
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
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Publisher's summary

A #1 New York Times Bestseller: Mark Helprin’s masterpiece transports you to New York of the Belle Epoque, to a city clarified by a siege of unprecedented snows…

A Winter’s Tale is a major motion picture starring Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe, and Jennifer Connelly.

This is a book about the beauty and complexity of the human soul, about God, love, and justice, and yet you can lose yourself in it as if it were a dream. You will be transported to New York of the Belle Epoque, to a city clarified by a siege of unprecedented winters. One night, Peter Lake—orphan, master-mechanic, and master second-story man—attempts to rob a fortress-like mansion on the Upper West Side. Though he thinks the house is empty, the daughter of the house is home. Thus begins the affair between the middle-aged Irish burglar and Beverly Penn, a young girl who is dying. Because of a love that at first he cannot fully understand, Peter, a simple and uneducated man, will be driven "to stop time and bring back the dead." His great struggle, in a city ever alight with its own energy and beset by winter, is a truly beautiful and extraordinary story.

©1983 Mark Helprin (P)2008 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"This novel stretches the boundary of contemporary literature...is a gifted writer's love affair with the language." ( Newsday)

What listeners say about Winter's Tale

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Magnificent

A Winter's Tale is a lyrical masterpiece. It's how a book should be written. The prose is beautiful and activates the readers imagination. Helprin takes you on a journey you can actually feel. It's one of those books I could read over and over again. I actually saw the movie, as well. I wish I hadn't. The movie did not do the book justice. The audio book was much better than the movie! If you like New York, if you like travelling in time, you will fall in love with this book.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

This book is really bad

I actually can't believe I finished it. If you enjoy incredibly exhaustive and prolific descriptions of fantastical items, activities and people, with disjointed storylines, dangling plots and no real conclusion, you have found the right book. I have never written a review before, but felt I should write this one in the hopes of saving someone else from wasting their time and money.

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3 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

Fantastic, poetic novel and a fine performance

This novel is delightful, the author is an unbounded genius. The reader was fantastic and brought the story to life. I highly recommend this novel for people who enjoy real literature.

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2 people found this helpful

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

I really wanted to like this book...

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

The story was so long and disjointed, I tried reading the book and purchased the audiobook to hopefully enjoy it.

What could Mark Helprin have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I think the author tried to tell too many stories and covered too much time without adequately addressing any of them.

Which character – as performed by Oliver Wyman – was your favorite?

Peter Lake was my favorite character.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Worst book ever!

Would you try another book from Mark Helprin and/or Oliver Wyman?

I can't believe this was published. Some of the writing was good with hints that it was all going to make sense and have an awesome conclusion, but it was a waste of my time.

What could Mark Helprin have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Tell one story well, instead of fifteen badly.

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1 person found this helpful

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

disappointing

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

better story, less confusing story line, less flowery language

What was most disappointing about Mark Helprin’s story?

too confusing

What three words best describe Oliver Wyman’s performance?

well done great voice

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Winter's Tale?

I don't know,

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

Way too long!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This story had potential but was too long and boring at times. Too much time was spent on describing the scene instead of moving the story along.

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

Amazing

The book might seem a little jumpy but it all ties together and is well worth it. Have an open mind and don’t get to caught up in the movie. The book is so much more deeper and fulfilling. It drew me in and kept me coming back for more. A new favorite!

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

Great Story

Magical and lyrical. Great descriptions of the city and the characters with a vivid texture filled with magic and mystery. From the sleeping porch on the roof in winter to the flying horse tied to the wheel this story has it all. I loved the book when I read it years ago and always remembered how much fun it was to read.
This audio version is a wonderful way to discover the magic all over again.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Poor writing

An acquaintance recommended it since I love literature that explores the theme of "time". I tried extra hard to complete it so it wasn't awkward each time I saw them and they asked what I thought of it. Couldn't finish it- and I finish pretty much everything. Mistakes beginning writers make with viewpoint, sentimental, Hollywood recipe writing.

That being said, it will be many people's 'cup of tea'. If you liked "The Notebook" by Sparks, you may like this. No jarring issues with the reader's performance- at least the part I heard.

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