The Ghost Writer

A Novel

By: Robert Harris

Narrated by: Roger Rees

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Adam Lang has been Britain’s longest serving—and most controversial—prime minister of the last half century. And now that he’s left office, he’s accepted one of history’s largest cash advances to compose a tell-all (or at least, tell-some) memoir of his life and years of power.

As pressure mounts for Lang to complete this magnum opus, he hires a professional ghostwriter to finish the book. As he sets to work, the ghostwriter discovers many more secrets than Lang intends to reveal, secrets with the power to alter world politics - secrets with the power to kill.

Tense, gripping, and savvy, The Ghost Writer puts forth all the author’s long-term know-how about high stakes politics, journalism, and governmental deception. Set in America, on Martha’s Vineyard, The Ghost Writer is Harris’s finest foray into political fiction since Fatherland.

©2007 Robert Harris (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

• Thriller Award, Best Novel, 2008

Another winner from Harris

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Harris does well writing about international politics.

What other book might you compare The Ghost Writer to and why?

Maybe a le Carre novel with more bounce.

Any additional comments?

Harris seems to be able to write great books in any subject terrain. This one fully modern, while his Roman novels fully historical. Audible please get third Roman novel in series!

Good story, great narration

The Ghost is a well written story that is worth listening to if only for the outstanding narration. The author, Robert Harris, is able to capture the tone and rhythm of the British English language and the narration of Robert Rees brings his words to life. The story blends American/British relations, tactics to counter terrorism and old fashioned politics. At times toward the end, the book gets a little tedious but has a satisfying ending. Well worth your 1 credit.

A Witty Thriller...

You have to listen to this book. Robert Harris' story and dialog are great, but Roger Rees' reading absolutely makes this book. This is one book that would just not be as good if you read it on paper (or maybe saw the movie). Even though it's a political thriller, I found I didn't have time to laugh because the Brit wit came at you so fast. Absolutely one of my all time favorites.

Somewhat a sleeper

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I might, if I knew they would enjoy English novels.

Would you be willing to try another book from Robert Harris? Why or why not?

Not sure, found a little slow.

Have you listened to any of Roger Rees’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not.

Do you think The Ghost Writer needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Maybe, there certainly is a main character to build on.

A story worth to listen

The author slowly built up the book atmosphere with an unexpected ending. I was quickly drawn into the book. This is my third book by Robert Harris; and so far all of them were excellent.

Slow first 8 hours but an interesting ending

I like Robert Harris' work and have listened to a number of his books (An Officer and A Spy is pretty great) so I looked forward to this one especially given the good reviews. Frankly, I was bored. I did finish it so I can say that the last hour may be worth the lead up, but overall I just felt it plodded along. At one point the "Ghost" just recites webpage addresses for what seems like a few minutes. Given the ending, I can maybe see why it was included but still...listening to "www.fill in the blank.com" over and over just gets dull to the listener.

Roger Rees does a great job reading.

The Audible definition of a 3 star review is "pretty good". That perfectly describes my thoughts on this book. It's "pretty good" but there are too many "really good" or "great" books out there to listen to instead.

Decent Story, Great Narration

It's an interesting concept - the ghost writer for former British PM's memoirs stumbles into more than expected - but the storyline falls short of the opportunity to write something excellent. Lacking backstory of the incidents that led to the primary issue, and lack of clarity on how the death which led to ghostwriter's involvement in the first place. It's like the book ended too abruptly.

That said, the narration keeps the book afloat...love listening to audiobooks of Lord John Marbury! He's one of the best narrators out there, especially for suspense novels.

Two stars for the story...which Audible classifies as "it's okay" which is all this story is.

Good read, interesting twist

The final twist was interesting, although a very astute reader/listener might have figured it out from some of the deftly woven hints in the narrative. A bit of a murder mystery and political fiction. Enjoyable commute listen.

My kind of story

I love stories that involve quiet intrigue… The story builds at just the right pace and each skin of the onion is peeled slowly but methodically. It is well written, and the main character is likable – he’s intelligent with a sardonic wit. It doesn’t hurt that much of the story is based on the island of Nantucket off-season – with rain and wind and lonely beaches. The twist at the end is well done in the very last paragraph of the book really gets you in the gut.

A good listen

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. It starts out a little bit slow but it really finished strong. At one point I wondered if the book was trying to make some kind of political point but in the end I think that was part of the plot. The book was suspenseful, but not in an over the top way, more subtle. Narration was well done.