The Obituary Writer

De: Ann Hood

Narrado por: Tavia Gilbert

From best-selling author Ann Hood comes a sophisticated and suspenseful novel about the poignant lives of two women living in different eras.

On the day John F. Kennedy is inaugurated, Claire, a young wife and mother obsessed with the glamour of Jackie, struggles over the decision of whether to stay in a loveless but secure marriage or to follow the man she loves and whose baby she may be carrying. Decades earlier, in 1919, Vivien Lowe, an obituary writer, is searching for her lover, who disappeared in the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. By telling the stories of the dead, Vivien not only helps others cope with their grief but also begins to understand the devastation of her own terrible loss. The surprising connection between these two women will change Claire’s life in unexpected and extraordinary ways.

Part literary mystery and part love story, The Obituary Writer examines expectations of marriage and love, the roles of wives and mothers, and the emotions of grief, regret, and hope.

©2013 Ann Hood (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

The book was a relaxing read

Wonderfully written book. Ann Hood blends the lives of two women related in marriage into a story of how we need to live our lives for today instead of trying to holding onto the dreams of what may never have happened.

A delightful plum of a novel

Would you consider the audio edition of The Obituary Writer to be better than the print version?

I'm not sure if it's better, but it certainly works really well in audio. Some literary stories don't translate well, but THE OBITUARY WRITER comes to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Birdie. I really connected with her.

Have you listened to any of Tavia Gilbert’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first full book listening to Gilbert. She's pretty terrific. Her reading has a little affectation to it, but it works well for this piece so maybe it's intended. Her male characters all sounded very similar (with exception of the Italian), but since there weren't many men in the same scene they were easy to differentiate.

If you could rename The Obituary Writer, what would you call it?

It's the perfect title.

Any additional comments?

I love Ann Hood's writing and this is one of her best.

Well crafted story

This book draws you with its wonderfully woven tail of life in 2 different decades.

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Quick read. Hokey at times.

This was a light quick read. Liked the intertwining of historical events throughout the book. Did find the story to be a little predictable and hokey at times but otherwise a great tale.

Loved this book!

What other book might you compare The Obituary Writer to and why?

The theme is similar to books written by Kate Morton. I enjoy reading books that span 20 to 50 years. This one had a neat little twist.

Love, Grief, and the Attaining of Great Wisdom

This book turned out to be one of my favorite audio books. The honesty with which it is written is so very valuable. Though it is fictional, the beautifully flawed lives of the women, Vivian and Clare, are portrayed in a way that is not judgmental. It does not detract from who these women are, doesn't make them more or less, just describes them. I love that the story begins in the early 1900s in San Francisco, in a beautiful place, where a young Vivian, full of optimism, trusts and makes choices that her best friend disagrees with. Then Clare, in the 1960s, when John F. Kennedy is running for President, is inspired by new ideas and has "fallen out of love" with her husband. Each story is fully told, running parallel, when of course, they are in two different time periods. But I did not find this distracting in the least. Each woman learning, growing, discovering for herself about friendship, marriage, dreams and reality . . . and gaining a wisdom that only life can teach.

good book for a commute

Dont expect ah-ha moments but very entertaining for a commute and with a surprise (perhaps) ending. Nice presentation!

Fantastic

2nd time and was even better. A must read that truly makes us think about how to help others that are grieving.

I liked this very much.

The story was a little predictable but it did capture my attention. It was a quick listen and I definitely enjoyed it.