The End of Dreams

By: Bruce Graham

Narrated by: Maggie Ross

The End of Dreams is a gripping story of love and loss. It is 1864. Eighteen-year-old Meredith McBurnie from Nova Scotia, Canada, is working as a proofreader at a literary magazine in Portland, Maine. Her mother, however, has different plans for her daughter. Meredith's brother Liam has deserted the Union Army amidst the American Civil War. Her frantic mother demands that Meredith go and find him or return home to look after the family.

Since childhood, Meredith and Liam have shared a special bond. Meredith is worried about her brother's well-being and fate as an army deserter. It is an impossible task, but she feels compelled to fulfill her mother's wishes and embarks on a dangerous journey that will change her life and the life of her family forever.

©2021 Bruce Graham (P)2022 Purple Porcupine Publishing

Critic reviews

"Bruce Graham broke my heart into more pieces than I felt possible. I promise you will not be disappointed at any time during this listen. A thrilling tale for sure." (Alana Shupe, The Atlantic Book Reviews)

A beautiful story of love and loss

The End of Dreams is a gripping, poignant, atmospheric, and entertaining historical fiction adventure audiobook written beautifully by Canadian author, poet, and playwright, Bruce Graham.

The story in The End of Dreams features a heartbreaking adventure that follows eighteen-year-old Meredith McBurnie, a proofreader at a literary magazine and a very brave woman, as she is forced by her mother to embark on a dangerous journey in order to find her brother who has apparently deserted the Union army.

Set amidst the American Civil War, The End of Dreams seems to be very well-researched and filled with vividly detailed descriptions of how life was for a lot of people during that difficult period in history. Sadly, it seems that we, as human beings, never change, and with Europe facing a war of aggression this year, The End of Dreams can also be considered a timely novel. That’s, of course, aside from also being a painful reminder of times past.

As I said, the writing is great, the characters are well developed and feel real, the historical aspects of this novel give it a stamp of authenticity, the story is captivating and touches on always timely topics such as love, loss, trauma, abuse, poverty, hunger and the horrors of war.

The audiobook version of The End of Dreams is authentically brought to life by voice-over artist and audiobook narrator, Maggie Ross. She delivers a uniquely entertaining and compelling performance. Maggie is reading at a steady, comfortable, and natural pace. She excellently handles dialogues and she is also bringing all the characters to life by seamlessly switching between an impressive range of voices and accents. Maggie Ross does a great job with the narration and she manages to create a complete level of immersion for the listener.

If you love stories about The Civil War, like I do, be sure to check out The End of Dreams and embark on an unforgettable adventure filled with unique characters, history and emotions!
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