Parrot and Olivier in America

De: Peter Carey

Narrado por: Humphrey Bower

Simultaneous release of a dazzling comic masterpiece that reminds us why Peter Carey is Australia's most internationally acclaimed novelist.

Olivier is a young aristocrat, one of an endangered species born in France just after the Revolution. Parrot, the son of an itinerant English printer, wanted to be an artist but has ended up in middle age as a servant. When Olivier sets sail for the New World - ostensibly to study its prisons, but in reality to avoid yet another revolution - Parrot is sent with him, as spy, protector, foe and foil. Through their adventures with women and money, incarceration and democracy, writing and painting, they make an unlikely pair. But where better for unlikely things to flourish than in the glorious, brand-new experiment, America? A dazzlingly inventive reimagining of Alexis de Tocqueville's famous journey, Parrot and Olivier in America brilliantly evokes the Old World colliding with the New. Above all, it is a wildly funny, tender portrait of two men who come to form an almost impossible friendship, and a completely improbable work of art.

©2009 Peter Carey. (P)2009 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Engaging and absorbing listening

A fascinating narrative is enhanced by the splendid reading. A range of accents give life to many memorable, and often quite eccentric, characters. An intricate tale with finely developed characters, this is very satisfying in audiobook format.

Peter Carey at his Best

This is a marvellous story that flows between the two men seamlessly. The narration is very good and interest in the book maintained. The adventures of the Englishman and Frenchman are believable and goes from tragedy to comedy. This is one of Peter Careys' best.

A grand story, full of great characters

I loved it so much that when my ipod said that I only had 20 mins left of the story I could not bring myself to finish it, and it took a full week before I could bring myself to have it ended.

The narrator does a terrific job, and it very well produced. It is a rich and dazzling story - highly recommended.

Nope it does not work for me!

In simple terms it 'drones' and that is certainly NOT down to Humphrey Bower. I gave up in the end for the dialogue moaned on like the horns at the Soccer World Cup.