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 I loved the historical references to different time periods and countries.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.

Finally I have waited for years

I have read this book twice and I don't read books over. It is one of the best books. The tension that is built over the story is amazing. It's just an amazing book. I can't say enough.

I loved the travel back and forth thru time.

Wonderful story! From the late Seventeen hundreds to 1970s, lots of intrigue. Complex story that held my attention.

64/32/16

I have the physical book and it's taken me years to read it I couldn't get past and parts it was so heartbreaking but I I'm glad that I caught it on audio to have the story told to me was even better than I imagined and I regret not reading it a long time ago this is one of my favorite books now

Perfection!

I absolutely love this book. Katherine Neville has created a masterpiece of epic proportions: Action, humor, intrigue, politics, mystical mysteries, science, romance, historical re-imagining and one hell of a good ride. This may the best book I have ever read (and listened to)!