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

Great except the sexual details

A slave in Scotland becomes a slave in Virginia. Will he ever see freedom? I really wasn’t sure until the climactic end. This historical fiction was an enjoyable read. Could have earned a higher rating had they left out the unnecessary sexual details.

At last. Good story. Good Characters. Well Told

I love to sit down with a good book, knowing from the introduction on the jacket that it promises to draw the reader with intriguing characters into a different world, painted with the brush of historical accuracy.
I loved this book. It has all the elements that make a book a great read for me, good story, complex characters, but normal, a different world, historically accurate. That way I can enjoy total abandonment, and learn something about the history of the times.
If Follett follows some recent paths, I can expect a sequel, and I can't wait. All books have their flaws, but none in this book bad enough to detract from the story.

Enjoyable Find

Love both the author and the narrator. Don't know how I missed this one before but glad I found it. Entertaining historical fiction with social / political consciousness. Is Follett coming back to this or something? How did it come to me? Well, however, it was worth the time.

Wonderful book

Very entertaining and great story telling. I love how he ties in great fictional characters to historic events. With his research, you can feel history come alive.

Historical Romance?

I was disappointed, not so much in the story, but in what could have been. Sadly, for me, this book qualifies more as historical romance than fiction. This is my first Follett read, but now I am skeptical: do they all have such graphic sex scenes. These added nothing to the story IMO

Another exceptional Follett book. Excellent!. Highly recommend. Narration also was very well performed.

Another exceptional Follett book. Excellent story and so very well told. I highly recommend this book.

Ken Follett leaves us hanging without a sequel

To this terrific tale...which is probably my only complaint...but not an insignificant one. A wonderful cast of characters- both believable and sympathetic - highlighted on a rich historical canvas. The revelations of coal miner slavery and the Dickensesque portrayal of 18th century London alone are worth the purchase. But Unfortunately, the beginning and middle of the novel far outshine the end. Once in America, Follett seems in a hurry to wrap things up...and he does...leaving me to feel somewhat shortchanged. Had the splendid tale been longer...or at least as thorough and intricate as the first two thirds, it would easily rated a five..

Forgettable

Not a bad listen, just nothing special about it. Follett has written better stories than this. I never felt connected to the characters and the plot twists were disjointed and contrived.

Fair

Not very savvy about a woman’s experience of life and the editor must also have been male.Fun enough adventure. Never got back to the beginning- why things were buried-
Fair read.

Ken follett never disappoints

it was a good bridge between the last book and what I hope will be the next. puts a good foundation down for The saga to continue in the New world.