Caribbean

A Novel

By: James A. Michener

Narrated by: Alexander Adams

Length: 32 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

In this acclaimed classic novel, James A. Michener sweeps listeners off to the Caribbean, bringing to life the eternal allure and tumultuous history of this glittering string of islands. From the 1310 conquest of the Arawaks by cannibals to the decline of the Mayan empire, from Columbus's arrival to buccaneer Henry Morgan's notorious reign, from the bloody slave revolt on Haiti to the rise of Cuba's Fidel Castro, Caribbean packs 700 dramatic years into a tale teeming with revolution and romance, authentic characters and thunderous destinies. Through absorbing, magnificent prose, Michener captures the essence of the islands in all of their awe-inspiring scope and wonder.

©2015 James A. Michener (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Michener is a master." ( Boston Herald)

"A grand epic... [James A. Michener] sympathizes with the struggles of the region's most oppressed, and succeeds in presenting the Caribbean in its rich diversity." ( The Plain Dealer)

"Remarkable and praiseworthy... utterly engaging." ( The Washington Post Book World)

A miniseries should be next and long over due

A miniseries should be the next undertaking to bring some of the West Indies / Caribbean history to life . Fast moving , but well written and read. You almost feel that you're in the scenes when the events are happening. incorporating fiction with historical facts is an interesting way in telling the stories, but it keeps you interested in the outcome. Will definitely be an eye opener for folks who are oblivious to the West Indian people and it history and the parts the Empires played

Typical Michener...

as usual, James Michener writes a fictional story that seems anything but. he gets you involved and emotional about probably a dozen different eras with distinct circumstances, and ties them all together to the present day. in the last chapter, when the main character of that particular segment makes a big decision based on the things she learned that Michener narrates to us, you can't help but feel some of what she's going through. like he does so often, he biographises lives you would love to have lived, and lives you feel pity for hundreds of years later. The first book of his that I read was Poland, and it made me super interested in all things Polish. then, Hawaii. same result. A few books later, I just finished Caribbean, and I feel I have to travel back to the Caribbean and pay attention to the things I've learned about in this book that you don't hear on tours. I would give this book 500 stars if it was possible. enjoy it!

Great history and drama.

Michener gives his usual complete picture of a complicated
Area. Interesting sidelight is the role cruise line plays in the
Economy of Haiti and how the European countries come off
More prejudice than the U.S. South.

Pretty disappointing overall

A tad long winded and overall the style of writing weak.

several great chaptera and then several duds.

Information Abiund

This is a story that provides the reader with a narrative that should spark in the reader an interest in the complicated history of the Caribbean. The characters and adventures are so very engaging.

I loved this book!

Love this story, the history, and the characters. Listening to this has become a part of my own plan for sailing that golden sea.

Wow! I’m hooked on Michener now

Before a trip to Hawai’i this past spring I thought to experience Michener’s Hawaii. Contemplating a trip to St Maarten next year so I selected Caribbean. Masterful historical fiction — compelling characters in high-stakes drama, beautifully crafted with impressive depth and breadth. Habit forming!

Historical masterpiece

Mitchener makes easy reading of 500 years of Caribbean history, sweeping through generations of both heroic and mistreated people who have struggled to survive and prosper there . I now have a deeper respect for the Caribbean Islands

excellent

a classic work by Michener truly great. highly recommended. cause me to see the Caribbean a new light

Solid book

The book can be pretty cringe worthy at times but overall it will make you think. It starts weak but builds and then ends some what weak again. The middle portion is engaging and makes it worth it.