A Conspiracy of Paper

Benjamin Weaver Series, Book 2

By: David Liss

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 17 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Benjamin Weaver is an outsider in 18th-century London: a Jew among Christians; a ruffian among aristocrats; a retired pugilist who, hired by London's gentry, travels through the criminal underworld in pursuit of debtors and thieves.

In A Conspiracy of Paper, Weaver investigates a crime of the most personal sort: the mysterious death of his estranged father, a notorious stockjobber. To find the answers, Weaver must contend with a desperate prostitute who knows too much about his past, relatives who remind him of his alienation from the Jewish faith, and a cabal of powerful men in the world of British finance who have hidden their business dealings behind an intricate web of deception and violence. Relying on brains and brawn, Weaver uncovers the beginnings of a strange new economic order based on stock speculation - a way of life that poses great risk for investors but real danger for Weaver and his family.

In the tradition of The Alienist and written with scholarly attention to period detail, A Conspiracy of Paper is one of the wittiest and most suspenseful historical novels in recent memory, as well as a perceptive and beguiling depiction of the origin of today's financial markets.

©2000 David Liss (P)2019 Tantor

What a narrator!

This has long been one of my favorite books, and I am so glad I revisited it in audiobook form. John Lee was a delight, capturing the droll wit of the author and numerous wonderful characters with his voice.

Interesting, but far too long

This novel is set in an era of London history (early 17th century) that is not often addressed by authors, which immediately makes it interesting. However, as a listen, it is far too long (although, I dare say, it could be a very good read). It is so long, complex, and often confusing that I found myself getting easily bored and tuning out, despite the excellent prose. I would have enjoyed it far more were it half as long with plot lines and secondary characters that weren't so difficult to keep up with, In fact, I think that the amazing amount of material in this one book would've worked better as a trilogy. Also, for me anyway, the protagonist was in no way sympathetic. I wasn't expecting "Mr. Nice Guy," but we do need to care about the lead character/ narrator. This particular protagonist is violent and full of himself, to the point that I really didn't care what happened to him. With a long novel like this, it's essential for us to care about the the protagonist, even if he's vain and a killer (think Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment). Having said that, for listeners who are history buffs, this work of fiction gives an amazingly accurate and fascinating view of the period, especially in terms of the London, Jewish community. Lastly, the voice actor,John Lee, is superb; he brings this world into the light brilliantly; he is the reason I stuck with the novel till the end, and is the reason, I will probably listen to it again (a few chapters at a time, so my concentration doesn't wander).

One of the best books I've read this year.

500+ audio books and probably one of 2 or 3 I've actually commented on. Loved the book!

Not as good as The Alienist

If you love details about the stock market you'll get lost in this historical thriller. More sympathetic characters with greater stakes would have held my interest during the wild ride through forgeries and paperwork. Narrator did well overall but chose to put annoying pauses into a lot of character's voices. Generally entertaining but not as gripping as The Alienist.

Great enough to buy other books by the author!

I did not find this tedious nor too long. In fact, I have been engrossed in the story the entire time. John Lee does a great job with each of the characters to the point of not even knowing it's the same guy. From the first to the (almost last), I'm near the end, but not done yet... Both my wife and I are enjoying listening together. I bought it on her recommendation, she read the book and now wanted to listen with me. For me, like with any good book, the characters have come alive, and I look forward to the next chapter... stopping only briefly to allow real life to intervene. I eagerly await the completion so I can begin another. She has not read the other Benjamin Weaver books, and we will be getting them too... Plus my wife has also recommended Whisky Rebel, which she has also read. She wants to enjoy listening with me on that one too!
I love Liss's story telling style. I am predominantly a Science Fiction Reader, and while this book is clearly not that; I find myself enjoying it tremendously! I do not understand the complaint about too long or whatever else was said... so, I will leave with... I love this epic tale of finance, murder and intrigue from our Historical past in Europe!

Outstanding Narration

While John Lee's narration was wonderful as usual, the story just seemed to drag. Had a hard time sticking with it.