Chandelier

By: Ben Hawken

Narrated by: Ben Hawken

At the height of the Cold War, Sienna Barrett was an unremarkable and otherwise anonymous child.

She would spend the next two years participating in the most closely guarded secret in human history. No president, prime minister, or general knew of the project’s existence until 30 years after every piece of it had been disassembled and the pieces incinerated.

And then she was abruptly sent home and given the impossible task of resuming her life as if nothing had happened.

Thirty years later, the world is about to descend into chaos – unbeknownst to everyone but the small handful of world leaders struggling to survive while inadvertently pushing it over the edge. This chaos finds Sienna and requires her to make a terrible choice.

This thrilling and expansive story unfolds across a narrative landscape that is both breathtaking in its scope and intensely intimate in its approach.

©2024 Benjamin Hawken (P)2024 Benjamin Hawken

Great story, fun writing, highly recommend

Chandelier was a really fun ride. I liked trying to guess how the initially disjointed stories would eventually come together. The scientific and historical minutia were a plus for me. The stars of the book are the suburban family. Their family dialogue was hilarious and perfectly on point for a suburban American family in the 2020s. I loved reading those sections and I enjoyed how their personalities played into the ending. Great read!

Bold and clever new author who writes how I think.

This book entertained, educated, and caused me to ponder my purpose in the world in fascinating rhythm. The depth and variety of subjects, information, and character development is unmatched. This is the book I want to read to my kids while traveling the country. Almost every chapter features multiple meals of learning about irresistible subjects of curiosity and responsibility to understand ranging from theoretical physics to the limitations of nautical travel. I NEVER got bored. The nuclear family at the center is an anchor of value that you don’t know how badly you need today. And the story delivered me in a place that allowed my now stronger brain to imagine several exciting conclusions and additional roads to travel. Hawken writes with the geopolitical thrill of Clancy, the dialogue of Sorkin, and the attention captivation of a nerd’s well tuned social media algorithm. If you are neurodivergent- or just smarter than the circuses - you will love this family conversation primer package. Super recommend!!!

Fun and unique story with a great twist

Ben has a fun and unique story to tell with lots of fun characters and story telling. It really pulls you in and once it does, you can't stop listening until you find out what happens. Really enjoyed the ride once I was hooked.

A Twist on the Cold War

Ben Hawken's storytelling of 'Chandelier' is captivating. He skillfully intertwines a dramatic narrative that explores secret domestic activities during the Cold War with a compelling cast of characters, notably Sienna Barrett, whose unique experiences relate to readers. The narrative spans from the 1990s to today, revealing hidden truths while preserving a breathtaking scope.

The depth of character development and the dynamic family interactions add a layer of humor and authenticity, making the suburban family's dialogue relatable and enjoyable. The pacing is exceptional, reminiscent of a Dan Brown thriller, keeping listeners engaged. Ben Hawken's use of the beauty of the Northwest landscape enhances the tension and conflict, seamlessly transitioning from intimate family moments to global chaos.

High praise for the audiobook experience created by Ben Hawken's narration, making 'Chandelier' an immersive journey that keeps listeners guessing how various plotlines will converge. The payoff at the end, especially with the classified government report, serves as a brilliant recap, tying everything together neatly.

Overall, 'Chandelier' is a creative masterpiece, solidifying Ben Hawken's talent for merging fiction with thought-provoking themes that linger long after the story ends. This book is among the year's top novels as a clever masterpiece that takes listeners on a fascinating journey, revealing a different way of seeing the world. The perfect ending topped off this adventure.