1929 Jonathan's Cross - Book One (The 1929 Series)

By: M. L. Gardner

Narrated by: Maxine Lennon

Length: 16 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jonathan Garrett lost everything. He and his two best friends, Caleb and Aryl, operated one of the top brokerages in New York City when the unthinkable happened; the stock market crash of '29. And now, with nothing but the clothes on their backs, these men must start over.

But starting over has never been more difficult. The jobs become fewer and danger lurks around every corner. And then when a business rival threatens their existence, despair looms overhead as the men struggle to find a way out.

Meanwhile, their wives, Ava, Arianna, and Claire, slowly adapt to life in a shabby apartment as they learn to deal with their poverty-stricken status. Each begins to cope as they find ways to live more modestly.

Emotional and financial ruin nips at their heels pushing the couples to the end of their ropes. Until finally, with a lucky twist of fate, they escape city life and begin anew in their hometown of Rockport, Massachusetts. But just as they start to relax and settle into their new lives, tragedy strikes again....

This book is the first in The 1929 Series by author M.L. Gardner and promises to be a must read for historical fiction fans everywhere.

©2008 M.L. Gardner (P)2013 M.L.Gardner

This is not historical fiction!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The narrator has a delightful, easy listening accent and that is the only thing I enjoyed about this book. The cover, title and description all told me it was historical fiction concerning the trials and tribulations of young couples during the 1930's depression. It started that way but quickly decayed into an insipid romantic novel. I'm talking petty, sophomoric, not historically accurate mush. The 3 wives are all the mental age of 13. Enough said?

Riches to Rags in 1929

Excellent historical tale of three friends, their wives, families and close friends that loose everything during the crash of the stock market in 1929 . . . I felt like I was there, in the rat infested apartments, with paper thin walls . . . where the three couples moved after leaving their fancy houses . . . told with amazing grit and honesty, the struggles of each individual draws you to them with unexpected emotion . . . and the lines of class and culture begin to disappear as the stuff of true integrity emerge . . . one of the BEST historical fiction books I've listened to yet . . .

Great idea, poorly executed

Is there anything you would change about this book?

More character dept please. Unless the author meant this for eleven year olds?

What do you think your next listen will be?

Margaret Atwood- Moral Disorder and Other Stories

Would you be willing to try another one of Maxine Lennon’s performances?

Only if the book was set in Ireland

Could you see 1929 Jonathan's Cross - Book One (The 1929 Series) being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

With an imaginative screenwriter to fill in the gaps? Maybe. Otherwise cast it with muppets.

Any additional comments?

The idea for the story is very good and would be a great read if it had anything to do with the grittier reality of the times.

1929.. one of the best books in a long time

I ABSOLUTELY loved this book. cannot wait to read the rest. this should be a mini series.. at the least.

Laugh and cry

I’ve tried to get back into audiobooks and this was a great start. The story follows three families through hope and heartache, sorrow and celebration and you will be entranced throughout no matter your taste in storytelling.

Accent is Too Heavy

I couldn't even get through the first two chapters. I found the narrator’s accent was too heavy. I’ve listened to over a hundred audio books here and this is the first time I had to stop listening due to the narrator.

Gripping

The story line is full of twists and turns. I can hardly wait for book two. I highly recommend it for everyone.

Slow & boring

There was nothing unpredictable. I had to skip ahead & all was just happening as I figured....even the ending. I can imagine their continuing ways of handing their lives.....nothing to get excited about.

1929: BOOK ONE

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No, I love listening to this era and I feel the author just didn't get the feel of it. Besides that, his characters needed a lot of work. Not a lot of detail there.

If you’ve listened to books by M. L. Gardner before, how does this one compare?

I haven't, and will think twice before I do.

Which scene was your favorite?

Ava giving the boy a break.

Do you think 1929 Jonathan's Cross - Book One (The 1929 Series) needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, what's done is done. I have never really believed in sequels, except "The Godfather 2" of course. Who wouldn't, but usually they're never as good as the first book.

Any additional comments?

Work on your characters!!!The story dragged on in many areas.
Excellent narrator!!!

Great storytelling.

A great story of three three best friends and the struggles each went through after the Wall Street crash in 1929.