The Coffee Trader

A Novel

By: David Liss

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 12 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Amsterdam, 1659: On the world’s first commodities exchange, fortunes are won and lost in an instant. Miguel Lienzo, a sharp-witted trader in the city’s close-knit community of Portuguese Jews, knows this only too well. Once among the city’s most envied merchants, Miguel has suddenly lost everything. Now, impoverished and humiliated, living in his younger brother’s canal-flooded basement, Miguel must find a way to restore his wealth and reputation.

Miguel enters into a partnership with a seductive Dutchwoman who offers him one last chance at success - a daring plot to corner the market of an astonishing new commodity called “coffee.”

To succeed, Miguel must risk everything he values and face a powerful enemy who will stop at nothing to see him ruined. Miguel will learn that among Amsterdam’s ruthless businessmen, betrayal lurks everywhere, and even friends hide secret agendas.

©2003 David Liss (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Unusual and diverting." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Masterfully plotted, brilliantly imagined, The Coffee Trader brims with intelligence, intrigue, and suspense. David Liss has written a riveting novel about commerce and faith, loyalty and greed." (Tova Mirvis, author of The Ladies Auxiliary)

What a depressing book.

The only half-way decent characters were punished. i think this is a man's book. It's wellwritten, and I liked the main character, but I admired none of the characters in the book.

Twists and turns in old Amsterdam

A cunning tale of keen intrigue in 17th century Holland. Manipulation of people in the stock and commodity trade enhance the cleaver writing. Though at times, the reader sounded like various versions of Bella Lugosi, I hung on n every chapter.

Exciting Historical Fiction

From the first paragraph I was captivated by this book and its characters. Spent most of the weekend devoted to listening to the book, (I normally listen to a book of this length over 1-2 weeks), couldn't proverbially put it down!! If you enjoy historical fiction and intricate and esoteric plots that keep you reading, this is a great listen.

Like coming off a multiple espresso binge

If you like your protagonist hanging out over shark infested water with more and more weight added to test his grip, you'll like this book. If you enjoy books with few likable characters and situations in which no one is trustworthy, you'll enjoy this book. If you are excited by chronic low-grade tension and financial trading slight-of-hand, you'll be excited by this book.

I had to stop listening for extended periods of time just because I found the unrelieved tension of the story both irritating and dull. The tension is built gradually, in small increments, so it isn't even exciting - more the nervous tension of a late afternoon following an all-nighter kept going by multiple espressos.

I did keep coming back though, so that I finally finished the book. I personally disliked the ending, but to write about it here would be a spoiler if you are the reader described above.

Fascinating history, occasionally slow.

Great story of duplicity among the rise of mercantile markets. Also fascinating portrait of Amsterdam in late 1600s, and of life as a Jew among Europeans at that time. Plot is thin compared to all the historical background, so the story can sometimes feel slow.

Medieval Scam Artist

After listening to this story a few months ago, parts of it keep returning to my conscious thinking. Although the tale does not seem complex, there are many threads to pull together, which is done nicely by the author. Memorable intersecting plot(s), interesting, well written and read. And it ends happily.

So Good I had to say something!

I have been an audible customer for quite a while and have yet to be inclined to put my two cents in...until I listened to this book. This novel was intriguing from page 1, and unlike many other books I couldn't stop listening until it was over. John Lee's narration couldn't have been better. Everything including the characters, plot, and historical content were beautifully written!!!

Fascinating

Great re-creation of the world of mid 17th century European traders. Rich characters and complex plot. Very enjoyable!

Enjoying and educational

Lover book about the Netherlands, I think the Dutch have facinating history and I always enjoy learning more about their past.

Fascinating

Fascinating,, great yarn, well read and well textured. Keep the listener absorbed from the start. An interesting look at a part of history that is often overlooked. It is easy to see how modern communications changed trading, but the basic process and motivation remain the same.