Legends

A Novel of Dissimulation

By: Robert Littell

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

It's a deadly dilemma for Martin Odum: both remembering and forgetting his past are dangerous options. A discharged CIA agent turned private detective, Odum is struggling through a labyrinth of memories from past identities, "legends", in CIA parlance. Is he really Martin Odum? Or is he Dante Pippen, IRA explosives specialist? Or Lincoln Dittmann, Civil War expert? Or another, hidden legend?

When Stella Kastner asks Odum to find her missing brother-in-law, Odum's ex-boss from the CIA shows up to order him off the case. Odum takes it anyway, embarking on a search that leads him around the world battling mortal danger and psychological disorientation.

©2005 Robert Littell (P)2005 The Audio Partners

Critic reviews

"Wonderful writing and a great sense of fun make this another winner." (Publishers Weekly)

So boring I couldn't finish

I have listened to at least 100 books from Audible. My favorites being mystery/thrillers. My favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Tana French, Laura Lippman, Gregg Hurwitz, and David Rosenfelt. I have never NOT finished a book. At 4.5 hours into this one I am bailing out. I am so bored with all that is NOT happening. There have been a few short exciting scenes but they are followed by speculation, overly descriptive dialog and a list of names and places that become very difficult to keep up with. I love Grover Gardner but I just can't do Littell.

Can not finish

This is the first book in 4 years that I have downloaded from Audible that I could not finish. It is almost impossible to follow the plot, if therer is one. I have listened to the author's previous books and have enjoyed them.

Just too confusing

I know that this genre uses plot twists to keep the reader interested but this one went too far. Legends lacked a real story and was too farfetched even for a spy thriller. A real disappointment after The Company which even at 50 hours held my interest.

Almost "goofy" in its back and forth storyline

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

The reader did a good job but the storyline kept moving back and forth in time to such an extent that the plot line got lost. The main characters various "legends" were not interesting enough to warrant the time spent on them. Some may like the uniqueness of the story telling, but it was not for me.

What could Robert Littell have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Focused more on the core storyline and less on the multiple "legends".

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Mr. Gardner did a good job on the various characters and their accents. My problem with this audiobook had nothing to do with his performance.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

My reaction was one of some confusion and disappointment in the clutter in the story telling approach.

Not so good

The Company was a great book. This is, unfortunately only a so-so book. There are some good characterizations, but ultimately does not hold together as much of a book. Disappointing.

what a bore!

Grover Gardner is always awesome and I'll listen to almost anything he does. This novel was just completely boring. the protagonist if you could call him at walks around and has people tell him what the story is and apparently the story happened way before the narrative. Epic epic fail. think of the difference between a well-written sex scene versus a third person retelling of a sex scene that happened several years ago. That's basically the entire book except there's no sex so sorry to get your hopes up. It's a guy walking around and eventually meeting people who tell him what happened several years ago over and over and over again. they had a good premise but Jesus it was boring