Enchantment

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 17 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

As one of the most consistently exciting writers to emerge in the last 25 years, Orson Scott Card has been honored with numerous awards, while immersing readers in dazzling worlds only he could create. Now, in Enchantment, Card works his magic as never before, transforming the timeless story of Sleeping Beauty into an original fantasy brimming with romance and adventure.

©1999 Orson Scott Card (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Took A While to Get Going

The story was wonderfully written and narrated. The Russian/Jewish accents were charming. While a bit slow in places, I think it was due to the author concentrating on details that weren’t as important to me as they might be to some readers. It felt as though every possible question were answered, every small loop and plot hole carefully covered. If you’re a skeptical reader, you’ll likely appreciate this. The overall pace was steady. The story was thoroughly grounded in modern times before gradually rolling into the magical. If not for Card’s charming voice, the long set up would have lost me. The ending was absolutely fabulous.

unique

Looking back I did really enjoy it but it had to grow on me tough it out because it is worth the listen 3 1/2 stars

I Read This Before and Will Listen Again

I first read Enchantment more than a decade ago. I picked it up on vacation for a bit of summer reading, and despite being different from my usual sci-fi, loved it from the start.

After, for several years, before the era of the Kindle or other e-readers, I'd always pack two books when traveling: some new book to try, and this to reread again if the first book didn't catch my interest.

I probably reread Enchantment in part or in whole more than a half dozen times. But eventually my ability to travel decreased and use of e-books increased and my old paperback copy was put away.

Then I found this here, some months ago. I think it was part of a sale or promotion, I don't recall looking for it to buy it, but whatever the case I did buy it. I remembered that this had long been my standby, and saved it for the same purpose as my paperback copy. A few days ago grew bored with one of my new audio books and decided to listen to Enchantment.

In some ways this is like returning to old friends. There were so many details I'd forgotten, but the characters and overall story was still there in the back of my memory, welcoming me back. I'm so very glad that I did get this from audible, and certainly will listen to it again in the future.

One thing to note about audio book itself, I was surprised that there are two narrators for this, as only Stefan Rudnicki is credited here on Audible. The book shifts perspective between several characters, and while the male characters' perspective is narrated by Rudnicki, the females' perspective is narrated by Gabrielle De Cuir - per the credits at the end of the audio book. Overall I liked this, however this does mean that for each character has a voice from both Rudnicki and De Cuir depending on which perspective is up at the moment.

A total crowd pleaser

This audiobook is road trip tested and approved. It's a wonderful, modern fantasy that has something in it for everyone. I listened to it on a trip with three friends who have very diverse interests and we all thoroughly enjoyed this one. I don't know why other reviewers are so bent out of shape about some of the more 'deus ex machina' parts of the story. It's a fairy tale, guys. Such plot devices are part and parcel for the genre.

An additional note, Orson Scott Card describes the mindset of a graduate student brilliantly in this work. If you want to know what life as a grad student is like, this book is a great place to start.

Quite a bit to love, but some problems

I have some issues with Card, but there man has some strong ideas. The Baba Yaga and Bear chapters were especially excellent, but the sections with Ivon and Katarina pettiness dragged on far too long.

Fairy Tales are History

This is one of the best that OS Card has written I liked Enger's Game but after that the books got more and more weird. The Gate Series is good but still in development.
This one is pure fairy tale but mixing "real" life with fairy tales. I think the narrator underplays it a bit, but overall, I think the performance is good. The story line is good, paced well and really invested me in the characters. I've listened to this one at least 4 times and it doesn't get old.

Good story multiple readers not enjoyable.

The male reader does a decent job but the female reader is bothersome. They have read other Orson Scott Card and there is just something about her tone that generally irritates my ears. I think a single reader would be ok. The switching between different readers is also distracting from the flow of the story.

An almost-perfect modern-age fairy tale

Truly inspired in concept and execution.
Really captured the spirit of both Slavic and Jewish legends.
Really captured the soul of Russian and Jewish communities, both in USSR, post-USSR and immigrants in USA.
Great expositions of legends, thoughts, etc. etc.

The only thing going against this book is that it is too long-winded. There are parts that could/should have been discarded or at least reduced by tens of percents.

However, very good performance by both (male and female) artists and a few memorable quotes make for all that.

Buy. Enjoy.

Driveway listening

I listen to audio books mainly in my car, and this one kept me sitting in my driveway more than once.

This is very different than the Ender's series but I liked it as well. An interesting take on the legend of Sleeping Beauty, OSC's magical universe is unique and spellbinding. I highly recommend it - it's a great escape.

wonderful!

LOVED IT!!! The readers were excellent and the story was infinitely more satisfying than the simple fairy tale!