A Place Called Freedom

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 14 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

Larger-than-life characters and an epic plot brimming with the energy of his internationally acclaimed thrillers make Ken Follett's A Place Called Freedom an experience not to be missed. This lush novel, set in 1766 England and America, evokes an era ripe with riot and revolution, from the teeming streets of London to the sprawling grounds of a Virginia plantation. Mack McAsh burns with the desire to escape his life of slavery in Scottish coal mines while Lizzie Hallim is desperate to shed a life of sheltered subjugation to her spineless husband. United in America, their only chance for freedom lies beyond the Western frontier - if they're brave enough to take it. Spanning two continents and bringing together an unforgettable cast of heroes, villains, and rebels, A Place Called Freedom is a magnificent epic of love, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Narrator Simon Prebble's masterful use of voice and pacing captures a vivid cast of characters and the powerful destiny that shapes their lives.

©1995 Ken Follett (P)1997 Recorded Books

Expected better than a historical romance

Well. I had higher expectations for this book/ past experience with Ken Follett left me waiting for a sweeping saga; instead I found some sappy romance and an obsession with "sexy" scenes. Not that I'm against sex scenes, but this was a little much. I found myself groaning and eye rolling - ugh. Not again. Also, this story should have been narrated by someone like Davina Porter, who always delivers a great Scottish accent. Entertaining enough, but the ending was predictable and it was definitely not the Ken Follett I've come to expect over the years.

A grab-bag of over-used cliche's

Loved Pillars of the Earth. Loved other books by Follett. This, unfortunately is a bag of cliche'd characters who behave with unerring predictability. As a result, there are no points in the story where the reader is surprised or, for that matter inspired to any emotion at all. Follett must have been having an off week, a week because it simply could not have taken any longer to write this clunker.

Not his best work

As soon as the book started to get interesting...it ended. It was entertaining enough, but nothing compared to Ken Follett's other books.

WORTH THE CREDIT AND THEM SOME!

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

I could not quit listening. It's just another GREAT book by this author.

What did you like best about this story?

The ending. I love justice and I love a book that HAS an ending.

Which character – as performed by Simon Prebble – was your favorite?

This narrator is not just a narrator ... he's an actor that gives you a performance that receives a standing ovation from me. This was the first time I've had a book narrated by him and he is one of my favorites now! Each character comes to life and with Follett's descriptive vocabulary, you can see each character in your mind. Of course, the main characters, Mack, Lizzie, Robert, Lenox, were my favorite (didn't like them all, but Prebble did a first-class job!)

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

Epic Adventure ... From Scotland to England to Virginia and beyond ...

Any additional comments?

Go ahead and spend your credit, you will not be disappointed. This is an older book from Follett and I saw some relatively negative reviews ... I am so happy I went with the ones who were saying, "Must Read!" ... I'm very happy I didn't miss this great book!

an abridged feeling ...

i have read all of ken follett's books and have enjoyed every last one.i especially enjoy his 30 and 40 hour epics. these longer stories are packed with information a tribute to the research he must put into each . i find his shorter stories just as engrossing and enjoyable.
which brings me to "freedom" .things happen so quickly in this magnificent novel that the book almost had an abridged feeling about it. i would have loved it, if the author had expanded the story a little. there certainly was ample opportunity to do so . It stands alongside his best efforts , i selfishly wanted more.

Compelling

I have always enjoyed reading Ken Follett’s books. According to my records I read “A Place Called Freedom” in 1996 but I cannot recall it, so decided to reread it. The book takes place in the 1770s in Scotland. It was customary for a father to pledge his young male child to work in the Lord’s mines for as long as he is able or until death. The protagonist of the story is Malachi (Mack) McAsh who rebels against this practice calling it illegal. In his early twenties he escapes and flees to London, where he gets a job unloading coal from ships. He tries to break the monopoly of the companies that furnish the work crews but is arrested and sentence to travel to the colonies. Mack was sent to Virginia and the government sold him as an indentured servant to the Jamison Mock jock Hall Plantation. Our other protagonist is Lassie Hallim, daughter of an improvised Lord. Lizzie is being forced to marry Jay Jamison from a wealthy aristocratic family. Jay and Lizzie move to Virginia to the Jamison family’s tobacco plantation called Mock Jock Hall. Lizzie, Mack, and Peg run away fleeing to the wilderness to seek freedom.

Follett describes the brutal working conditions of the common man of that age not only in the mines, coal heavers but on the tobacco plantations of the new world. Follett describes their lives as slaves both in Scotland, England but also Virginia. This is a story of social and political realities with a little romance tossed in. The book is well written and researched. The plot twists and turns with intrigue, brutality and some suspense. As far as I am concerned Follett could have toned down the sex a bit. This is a most interesting historical novel that reminds me that we had more than just African slaves working the plantations of the south. Simon Prebble does his usual magnificent job narrating the book. In 2010 Prebble won the coveted Audie Award and over the years he has won 23 Earphone awards for narration of audiobooks.

Think of it as Ken Follett light

First, I thoroughly enjoy Ken Follett trilogies. They are among my favorite books. I love how he weave in so much great history around his fictional characters. This is a good book, but not on the same level as his major works. Some of it felt a little too predictable. Some of the coincidences were a stretch. Still, if you like Follett, you'll like this book.

Audible Daily Deal for June 18, 2020

Ken Follett's novels have often disappointed me. This is my first in six years and it is the best of Follett novels I have ever read or listened to. I suspect that is due to the excellent narration of Simon Prebble. In any case I cannot recommend it because it is so slow moving.

I tried to like it.

Follett is not really my cup of tea. Well I think he did his research on 18th-century Scotland England and America, I wasn't really impressed with his historical writing. He seem to miss the mark by portraying characters that seemed out of the 20th century but with 18th-century facts. The worst part was his portrayal of passion. His writing left a lot to be desired. "when first she saw his penis . . . a wrinkled tube"!!! Really - a wrinkled tube??? All in all I did like the story, even though the ending was a bit flat.

Typically good Follett

A little slow to get going as Follett developed characters through their actions as opposed to using narratives.

It's an older novel, 1995, but even an average Follett novel is better than most available out there. Good narration and overall recommended.