The Eight

A Novel

By: Katherine Neville

Narrated by: Susan Denaker

Length: 25 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

New York City, 1972 - A dabbler in mathematics and chess, Catherine Velis is also a computer expert for a Big Eight accounting firm. Before heading off to a new assignment in Algeria, Cat has her palm read by a fortune teller. The woman warns Cat of danger. Then an antiques dealer approaches Cat with a mysterious offer: He has an anonymous client who is trying to collect the pieces of an ancient chess service, purported to be in Algeria. If Cat can bring the pieces back, there will be a generous reward.

The south of France, 1790 - Mireille de Rémy and her cousin Valentine are young novices at the fortress-like Montglane Abbey. With France aflame in revolution, the two girls burn to rebel against constricted convent life - and their means of escape is at hand. Buried deep within the abbey are pieces of the Montglane Chess Service, once owned by Charlemagne. Whoever reassembles the pieces can play a game of unlimited power. But to keep the Game a secret from those who would abuse it, the two young women must scatter the pieces throughout the world....

And there's more to the story! Don't miss the sequel, The Fire.

©1988 Katherine Neville (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Even readers with no interest in chess will be swept up into this astonishing fantasy-adventure....destined to become a cult classic." (Publishers Weekly)

“With alchemical skill, Neville blends modern romance, historical fiction, and medieval mystery...and comes up with gold.” (People)

“A big, rich, two-tiered confection of a novel...a rousing, amusing game.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

"Readers thrilled by The Da Vinci Code will relish the multi-layered secrets of The Eight.” (Matthew Pearl, author of The Dante Club)

Good if you have read the book

I have read this book multiple times which made it a lot easier for me to follow the changes in time and the overall plot.

Previous reviewers panned the narrator, but I thought she did a good job. There were a lot of accents and personalities in the book and I think she did a good job keeping the accents straight and understandable.

Outstanding!!!

Wow! After reading the previous reviews, I was hesitant to select this book, but I am so glad I did! The book is beautifully written and the narration is great. I loved the historical references to different time periods and countries. A very enjoyable listen!

Wowsers!

The narration is SO GOOD! The story is spellbinding, unique and addictive! Oh girl, you gotta hear it! Or buy it!:)

Great Story

loved the intricate weaving of historic tapestry of science, not spoiled by time passed since author penned the very personal ethical dilemma that a moral scientist must undergo.

The greatest adventure ever!

If you like chess and history mixed with espionage, and a love story for the ages than this is your book! It’s a nonstop ride and when you get to the last page, you have to read it again.

excellent book

I simply love this book. A must read. I read it over and over.

What a fun ride

This story was very enjoyable, switching back and forth between the distant past and the near past. While there were elements of the story that were very far fetched, I still enjoyed the story and the characters. I also enjoyed the idea of the story being a chess game, it made me think about chess again and that was quite unexpected.

Great for Mystery and Complex Plot

Would you listen to The Eight again? Why?

I would listen to The Eight again, probably to pick up on things that I did not get the first time. The plot is very complex and cross generational, so it does care concentration to really follow along. I would recommend this to someone who want to dig deep into a book. Not for someone that is just looking for entertainment.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mireille is my favorite for her rich descriptions and bold actions. She seems some what fearless and so smart at the same time.

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

No, you need to take it is doses over time.

Treasure hunt. Fun but too much chess.

This is actually the first book I've met that would really have been helped by being abridged. I think they would have removed a great deal of the chess stuff and it would have ended up being a better story for it. As it ended up, it could have been any items so all the endless chess storyline was really not necessary to the story and incredibly boring to people who don't like chess.

A story with everything...

It has mystery, adventure, a tiny bit of romance, deceit, murder, travel, history, mathematics, foreign language, codes, puzzles and chess! Everything I like!!😂 I could not put it down!!