The Woodcutter

By: Reginald Hill

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

Length: 16 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Wolf Hadda's life was a fairytale - successful businessman and adored husband. But a knock on the door one morning ends it all. Universally reviled, thrown into prison, Wolf retreats into silence. Seven years later Wolf begins to talk to the prison psychiatrist and receives parole to return home. But there's a mysterious period in Wolf's past when he was known as the Woodcutter. Now the Woodcutter is back, looking for truth and revenge...

©2010 Reginald Hill (P)2010 WF Howes Ltd

Overall a good book

What made the experience of listening to The Woodcutter the most enjoyable?

The narrator's performance, using the different accents and emotions to enhance the story.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not a particular scene, but the main character's interactions with the doctor throughout

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, but it would spoil for future readers.......near the end.

Any additional comments?

This book took a while to get going, but once it did....it was a very exciting story. The narrator did do a good job of maintaining my interest during the slow periods in the early sections.

I've listened to it twice!

Any additional comments?

Great book. Kept my attention which is hard to do because I have a tendency to tune out. Listened to it a second time on a road trip with my husband and he also liked it. Suspense, twists, interesting characters, and witty humor - what's not to like. R-rating with a few sections/conversations the f* word and mild coitus (overall very small percentage of the book though).

Moved Along Nicely

What did you love best about The Woodcutter?

This story had a pretty decent pace. I was interested in the main character and anxious to see how he would get out of his predicament.

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

I wouldn't put this book into that category, although I did find myself lingering at times to hear what would happen next.

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed in the way this book ended. I'm always frustrated when authors carefully construct a character and her psyche throughout a book only to have her act completely contrary to the fiber of her being in favor of a tidy conclusion.

Had potential. All over the place. Great narration

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

Probably not. It was a little disjointed, but had a lot of potential.

What could Reginald Hill have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Created better pacing. Focused the plot more. At times he tried complex storytelling but it seemed to have gotten tangled up.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Keeble – was your favorite?

Wolf and Alba (I think that's her name? The Dr.)

Was The Woodcutter worth the listening time?

It could have been shortened. I'd have to say I didn't hate it but didn't love it.

Any additional comments?

Great potential but it dragged at times and the foundation was really badly laid. It was hard to really determine what exactly the plot was. It appeared obvious, but then there were so many different side plots that it just became convoluted. in the end it felt hurried which I was thankful for. I'd had enough.

A story of a man's man....A Cumbrian Woodcutter

I really enjoyed listening to the Woodcutter. The reader was superb!! I felt like I was whisked away to England and caught up in an interesting novel of intrigue and suspense. I liked how all the elements of the story came together and held my interest to the very end. Wolf Hadda is a very likeable character, indeed, and you learn you can never trust those around you. Set in modern times and dealt with different classes of people in English society and what motivates humans.......

Amazing story! rushed to listen whenever I could.

loved this character so very much. great redemption story. going to search for more books by this author.

great read

What did you love best about The Woodcutter?

The Woodcutter has great character development and an intricate plot that moves right along.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked the Deacon and the role he played in the plot and his relationship with the main character.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Keeble – was your favorite?

They all were.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The part when he learned he was not the biological father of his daughter. Did not see that coming.

A good listen

This was a really good listen...I was taken back at first by the accent and could not understand what was said many times due to the dialect...but the story itself was very good....I liked the narrator, and his engagement- I just found the accent to be difficult to understand at times....but due to the narrators engagement, I found it to be a very good listen and I would certainly recommend.

First but not last

Initial introduction to both author and narrator. Excellent narration captures the essence of the main character, perfectly conveying the humor deftly intertwined with his sense of cold, calculating revenge. I will be back for more of Hill/Keeble. Definitely worth the listening time.

Good story if a little rambling

Ok story, phenomenal voice talent. The story could be a bit confusing at times but was a good and engaging one with twists and turns and interesting likeable (and often unlikable) characters.