A Risk Worth Taking

By: Robin Pilcher

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling author of Starting Over and An Ocean Apart returns with his strongest work to date - a heartwarming story of love, compassion, and redemption

After the dot-com bubble burst, Dan Porter is laid off from his job and must decide what is truly important. His wife of 20 years, Jackie, a beautiful and successful managing director for a clothing designer, no longer connects with him. His teenagers Josh, Nina and Millie are distant and confusing. Jackie is tempted by the attentions of a younger man at her office, and thanks to an opportunity suggested by a magazine article, Dan finds himself contemplating a drastic change in his life.

A Risk Worth Taking is an engrossing, thought-provoking novel of a man who has to discover what he really values in his work, marriage, and life. Robin Pilcher writes fluidly, and is endlessly interested in the details of his characters' lives. He has written a poignant and moving story about the real choices adults face when they start taking stock of their lives.

©2004 Robin Pilcher (P)2004 Audio Renaissance, a dicision of Holtzbrink Publishers, LLC and Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Robin] Pilcher crafts another engaging, happy-ending tale." (Publishers WEekly)
"Pilcher offers a charming story about life in the new millennium and one man's pursuit of happiness, a tale that will appeal to both men and women." (Booklist)

Great Story

Even though it was not a happy story I loved how the characters developed and were so real. I’m glad I was with them through the story I became a part of their lives.

Not Mr Lee's best

John Lee is almost my favorite reader, and I have heard perhaps 50 of his renditions of sea captains, Chinese cut-throats, Indian common folk, and the list goes on until now with plane, ordinary British people who's conversations are far too dramatically portrayed.

I saw no need for over-acting, and even with this distraction I liked the story very much. I also liked the development of Dan Porter's character.

Great Story

I completely disagree with the first reviewer. I thought this was a very well written book. Dan Porter began as a typical father, uninvolved and self absorbed, and evolved into a caring, loving and involved father. His journey is well described and entertaining.

Terrible Book, Self-absorbed Ass

This book sounded so promising. But the main character, Dan Porter, was such a rat, I couldn't stand it. First he gets laid off & loses all the family money in a bad investment. Then, he refuses to accept any job offers so he can "be there" for his kids, even though he doesn't listen to a word they say, much less have any meaningful communication with them or his wife. And he sends money he doesn't have to help a friend in NY. Then, while his wife is struggling as sole bread-winner, instead of supporting her, he runs off to Scotland to help another family he just met. Yes, Dan Porter such a "great guy", he's there for everyone except his own family. Sadly, the author writes the character of the wife so badly you don't care about her either.