The Rain Watcher

A Novel

By: Tatiana de Rosnay

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

The first new audiobook in four years from the beloved superstar author of Sarah's Key, a heartbreaking and uplifting story of family secrets and devastating disaster, set against a Paris backdrop, fraught with revelations and resolutions.

Linden Malegarde has come home to Paris from the US. It has been years since the whole family was all together. Now, the Malegarde family is gathering for Linden's father Paul's 70th birthday. Each member of the Malegarde family is on edge, holding his or her breath, afraid one wrong move will shatter their delicate harmony. Paul, the quiet patriarch, an internationally renowned arborist obsessed with his trees and little else, has always had an uneasy relationship with his son. Lauren, his American wife, is determined the weekend celebration will be a success. Tilia, Linden’s blunt older sister, projects an air of false fulfillment. And Linden himself, the youngest, uncomfortable in his own skin, never quite at home no matter where he lives - an American in France and a Frenchman in the US - still fears that despite his hard-won success as a celebrated photographer, he will always be a disappointment to his parents.

Their hidden fears and secrets slowly unravel as the City of Light undergoes a stunning natural disaster, and the Seine bursts its banks and floods the city. All members of the family will have to fight to keep their unity against tragic circumstances.

In this profound and intense audiobook of love and redemption, Tatiana de Rosnay demonstrates all of her writer’s skills both as an incredible storyteller but also as a soul seeker.

©2018 Éditions Héloïse d’Ormesson (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Hypnotic, passionate, ominous and tender - unforgettable.” (Jenna Blum, New York Times and internationally best-selling author of Those Who Save Us)

“[A]n emotional tour de force and a thoughtful, deliberate examination of personal tragedy and the possibility of redemption.” (Publishers Weekly)

good, not great

As is often true with this author, the best parts were the descriptions of human experience. She doesn't just describe the flooding of the river, she describes Linden's EXPERIENCE of the flooding of the river, complete with shock, awe, and grief.

As far as the plot goes, I found it a bit predictable. The metaphors were a little obvious. But I definitely enjoyed her storytelling. So, it was good, and I'm glad I listened to it, but it wasn't my favorite novel from her oeuvre.

Slow Read

I love her writing style, but this was my least favorite book of hers. The story didn't progress much and the ending left me with more questions.

Beautiful Writing

Amid a natural disaster, a family makes efforts to love and appreciate each other before it's too late. Narration was a pleasure to listen to.

Beautiful story and great narrator

Nice family story touching all the right topics. Simon Vance is one of my favorite narrators and he does an exceptional job with the mood of this book. Set in a flooded, rainy Paris, it was as though the setting became one of the most important characters. Truly a gem.

Disappointing!

Too much jumping back and forth in time! And the conclusion? Not sure there was a final answer at the end. Or are the readers supposed to figure it out for themselves? Not enough clarity and tying up of all the loose ends in a rush to the finale-didn't work for this reader.

Disappointing

I had read several of her other books and really loved then all. This book was quite different. I felt as though the reader’s voice was such a monotone and brought no feeling to the story. I am left confused by the ending. I kept looking to see how much longer I had to listen as I just wanted it to be over.

Not my Favorite

This is a hard book for me to review. I liked it but I'm not sure why. I did not love it and I know why. Linden was the only character I actually liked, his parents and his sister were all self absorbed and just really hard to empathize with. The story really didn't have much of a point, it meandered. 4 people who didn't know each other well, stuck together for a family renunion when one falls gravely ill. Now they all confess their secrets to each other. Some were suprising, some were not, all were sad. Linden's secret was that he ran away from his family so he could be himself. The book seems as though it wants to be a character study but it really doesn't even do that well. The characters, when secrets revealed, are still self absorbed and a bit whiny. And Paul's secret, what was that? Was that supposed to explain why he loved trees so much? It was just weird.

I did like the immersive descriptions of the flood, what Paris looks like in the flood, and Linden in the boats observing. I liked Linden, and I liked Sascha and wished we could have spent more time with him. Overall probably a 2.5 stars from me. Just wasn't my thing. The narrator did a wonderful job and that is probably the only reason I was able to get through this book.

Unimpressed

This book was almost a total waste of time. There was no conflict and character development was nil. Boring to say the least