The Sabbatical

A Novel

By: Michael D. O'Brien

Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien

Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Dr. Owen Whitfield is the elderly Oxford professor of history who first appeared in Michael O'Brien's novel The Father's Tale. In the events of The Sabbatical - which occur sometime later - Dr. Whitfield is looking forward to a sabbatical year of peace and quiet, gardening in his backyard, and tinkering with what he calls his latest "unpublishable book".

As the year begins, he is drawn by a series of seeming coincidences into involvement with a group of characters from across Europe, including a family that has been the target of assassination attempts by unknown powers. During his journey to Romania, the situation in which he finds himself becomes more sinister than it first seemed.

The story deals with the tension between fatalism and the providential understanding of history, with the courage and love that are necessary for navigating through a confusion of signs, and with the triumph of faith and reason over the forces of destruction.

©2021 Ignatius Press (P)2021 Ignatius Press

The truth will prevail

Paints an accurate picture of the isolation that the truth seeker experiences in a world where overwhelmingly powerful forces promote lies and evil.

A tail of our times

Loved this story. It was slow at first but gained momentum as it enfolded! Beautifully written and full of intrigue. An ordinary professor becomes involved in secrets and life and death struggles. Mr. O'Brien is ever the creator of masterful writing and prophetic tales of adventure.

Fascinating, intelligent story

This is a fun interweaving of philosophy, history, and suspense, a mysterious action novel that raises the ultimate questions about life and humanity. The reading, though, was not great. The voices the reader used for children and young men were pretty bad. This is probably one to read rather than listen to, because there is plenty of richness and enjoyment in the story.

Classic O’Brien!

I’ve loved every one of O’Brien’s books! This one is no exception. In the style of A Father’s Tale which is alluded to toward the end, one keeps on listening because the writing is so wonderful and the story so intriguing. The performance was extremely well done. The talent of the reader in portraying so many different ages, genders, and even nationalities enhanced the story greatly! I hope to hear other O’Brien books on Audible.

A great story in need of a better ending.

Wonderful story. Superb character development. Not a dull moment. Excellent narration. I just wish the ending was tidied up a bit.

‘Meh!’ if you read it - Horrible if you listen to it

I deeply respect Michael O’Brien. For that reason, I suggest that you avoid this - whatever it is or tried to be. Especially, anyone who loved ‘A Father’s Tale’ as I did - out of respect for the author - skip this one!

But especially avoid the audio version. The narrator (his son?) is generally only passable throughout the novel. But he unfortunately desecrates his interpretation of a young German boy - the central character of the story. It’s too hard to listen to. But I did, because I love and respect the author.

Overall, O’Brien should be embarrassed. He has to know that he has short-changed his reader. This should not have been published in its ram shackle condition.

Disappointed

I expected much more from this author. A slow-moving story that goes nowhere. Could have just written an essay on postmodern culture instead. Narrator invented a plausible voice for the character of Owen and all others are clownish, many are shrill.