A Favorite Son

By: Uvi Poznansky

Narrated by: David Kudler

Length: 2 hrs

Publisher's summary

A Favorite Son is a modern twist on an old tale: Jacob and his mother are plotting together against the elderly father Isaac, who is lying on his deathbed. They wish to get their hands on the inheritance and take control of the power in the family. Jacob yearns to become the favorite son, but sees only one way to achieve it: deceit.

In planning his deception, it is not love for his father, nor respect for his age that drives his hesitation--rather, it is the fear to be found out. And so, pretending to be that which he is not--he is now ready for the last moment he is going to have with his father.

This is no old fairy tale. Its power is here and now, in each one of us.

©2012 Uvi Poznansky (P)2013 Uvi Poznansky

Beautiful and Haunting

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! The writing is beautiful, the story compelling, and the narration excellent (and perfectly suited to the tone of the book)

What did you like best about this story?

The author's use of language is just incredible. Her prose paints a picture that it's easy to be drawn into (it's no surprise that the author is a visual artist as well).

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the opening chapter, when Yankel makes and describes the lentil stew that he will use to buy his brother's birthright.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A Timeless Story of Greed and Betrayal

Any additional comments?

I was really overwhelmed by the quality of the writing, and really impressed by how well the narration complemented it. This really is a case where the whole becomes greater than the sum of two already excellent parts.

A Unique and Fascinating Listen!

Where does A Favorite Son rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's very hard for me to place this among my other audio books, which are all either mystery, suspense, or thriller. This is a totally different style of book, so it would have to be looked at as a standalone. That said, this is a superbly produced, high quality piece of work. The story is beautifully written and the narration is top notch.

What did you like best about this story?

Although this type of parable-style story set in distant desert lands was completely out of my usual genre, I found it fascinating, and was disappointed when it was over.

What about David Kudler’s performance did you like?

I loved the narrator's amazing array of voices. His accents were so well done, I was blown away by his interpretation and acting skills. I will be looking him up to see what else he does in "real life," for he sounded as though he could have done a one man show on Broadway, he was "that" good.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but it piqued my curiosity constantly. I loved the twists and turns and symbolic nature of the story and objects highlighted within.

Any additional comments?

A surprising gem among books - take a listen!

A Favorite Son, great book

What did you love best about A Favorite Son?

Strong description of family dynamics. Deep understanding of human's weaknesses.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The characters are all described as weak in some ways. I mostly enjoyed listening to their interactions.

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

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, the description of Jacob feeding his brother. First chapter. Also the part when Jacob is getting the blessing from his dying father.

Any additional comments?

Interesting, funny and fresh look at an old story.

A Shining Light!

Would you consider the audio edition of A Favorite Son to be better than the print version?

I don't know, I haven't read the print version.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything. The writing, the narration... it was all brilliant.

What about David Kudler’s performance did you like?

I couldn’t imagine anyone, anyone at all, dramatizing the story as brilliantly as David Kudler!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I believe so.

Any additional comments?

I’d encourage Uvi to write more such biblical accounts, convince us further just how human these characters are, show us their flaws, their hopes and dreams, take us deep into their psyches and allow us to know them more intimately, as she has here. More. Give us more!

Anguish of Jacob for Stealing Birthright from Esau

What made the experience of listening to A Favorite Son the most enjoyable?

The narration by David Kudler that was in Jacob's point of view was outstanding. The author Uvi Poznansky masterfully retold the biblical story so that a reader could understand the anguish Jacob felt when he fooled his blind father to giving his blessing intended for his older brother, Esau.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The story was told in Jacob's point of view who came across as remorseful and self-reflective for his deceit in becoming the primary heir instead of his older twin brother, Esau.

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

No, but I would listen to another audible by him.

If you could rename A Favorite Son, what would you call it?

Second Son's Betrayal

Any additional comments?

Uvi Poznansky did a masterful job exploring Jacob's characterization and understanding his motives for deceiving Esau and his father so that he became the primary heir instead of his brother. However, in the end, he had to bear the guilt and was thus cursed as the favorite son who became the sole heir as a result of his deception. The story was engaging as it explored a common a theme in which a parent favors one child over another and the consequences that may entail as a result.

Skilled Masterpiece!

Would you consider the audio edition of A Favorite Son to be better than the print version?

After both reading A Favorite Son on my own and then listening to the audio book, I think there is a definite benefit to hearing the male voice bring the characters to life. I very much enjoyed this audio experience.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Favorite Son?

One of the most memorable moments is the obvious favoritism of Rebecca for one son over another and the lengths she would go to deceive her husband, Isaac, demonstrates the duplicity of her role in all of their lives.

Which character – as performed by David Kudler – was your favorite?

I think David Kudler did a great job of portraying all the characters he played in this audio book. His voice is clear, precise, and effectively draws the listener into the story line.

Any additional comments?

Most of us are familiar with the well-known Bible story of Jacob and Esau. Twin sons born to Rebecca and Isaac in their later years, are at odds and in competition to inherit the much coveted blessing from their father on his deathbed. The collaboration that takes place between mother and her favorite son, Yankle, in order to dupe Isaac effectively demonstrates the length some parents will go to in their unfairness, or what I refer to as, the "division" of their love.

According to the main thread skillfully woven into this novel, the phenomenon of favoring one child over another may be a curse not only for the favored child but for the rejected one as well. I purposely use the word "division" of love to describe the favoritism both Rebecca and Isaac displayed for opposite sons in this story in order to stress what I consider to be a poignant point.In my opinion, neither parent expresses true love. True love does not divide families nor does it create ugly competitiveness, sibling rivalry, jealously, hatred, anger and all the other undesirable, negative traits expressed between these two sons. Neither parent shows love for their offspring nor toward each other. It has been said that true love multiplies...it never divides.When one discovers this definition of love and fully embraces this concept, the negative emotions experienced by this family and many others, will no longer exist. To me, that is the true moral to this Bible story.Ms. Poznansky takes an age old story and gives it a modern twist.

The reader is invited into the tortured psyche of Yankle and the grief, guilt, and full knowledge of the consequence of his deception in order to demonstrate what a living hell is all about. Yankle is haunted by his choice, that of manipulating his father's deteriorating physical condition along with his mother, in order to steal his brother, Esav's birthright. He does not want to repeat history in his own life and continue with this kind of favoritism in his relationship with his own sons.This author shows not only by the cover she has so beautifully painted, but also by the words she has so carefully chosen to depict the results of such a past and present dilemma...the consequences of such a devious act.

To quote Ms. Poznansky when describing her book cover, she states, "To me, this is what this image means: looking directly at yourself, facing the pain and the ugly imperfections within, without any attempt to mask who you are--even if you find yourself on the verge of a meltdown." I think each of us will eventually reach this point in life, and regardless of what path we take to get there, we must face ourselves, our actions, our lives and learn what true love is all about...I think this is the genuine motive and goal behind the work of this talented artist and author. Her writing is meant to provoke, prod, persuade, and push us to the limits of our inner selves in order to tie it all together. In my opinion, she is not only showing us a part of herself, her every desire is for us to see our own reflection in her work and see what personal message it holds. She has certainly succeeded with me...

Inspirational Author & Book Reviewer ~ Dolores Ayotte

Sibling Rivalry

This was a lovely story written about a set of twins fighting for the birthright. Of course the one born first got it, and the second one spent his life jealous of it and finally tricked his brother out of it.

It was beautifully written and flowed so well. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. The narrator was great and did a wonderful job with the voices and narration.

Intriguing

I absolutely loved this story. Wished it was longer. The Narrator told this story so that you felt all the emotions.

Most intriguing

Definitely not a read I am use to…even so, I am far from being disappointed. A read that is a picture of all our pasts in some form, as well as our present & without doubt our future. How we all want more of what we have or don’t. How we allow that yearning to make us into someone we are not, and to what outcome? Do we actually gain or just add more loss with the acquiring of something different? Have we loss the riches we already had in the greed of more? I may be off on what the meaning truly is, but it was thought provoking & enjoyable. My first read of this author’s work but not my last

A Favorite Son

An old story with some new twists.I liked it.Narration by David Kudler was very good.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'