Agrippa's Daughter

By: Howard Fast

Narrated by: Susannah Tyrrell

Length: 15 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Bestselling author Howard Fast's riveting portrait of Israel's strong and beautiful Queen Berenice, whose life story is one of the ancient world's greatest romances. Throughout her rule in the first century AD, Queen Berenice is idolized by some, and hated by others. Though her fiery red hair makes her instantly recognizable, it is her mysterious charm and steely will that make her unforgettable. The daughter of Israel's King Agrippa I, Berenice is determined to free the kingdom of Israel from the shadow of the Roman Empire. But her plans are derailed after her husband, Shimeon, dies during a bloody civil war. When Berenice falls in love with Titus, son of the Roman Emperor, they devise an impossible plan to join the ruling lines of Rome and Israel.

A master of gripping historical fiction, Howard Fast brings the ancient world to vivid life in this enthralling, epic drama.

©1964 Howard Fast (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

How are any of us here with all of that chaos?

I learned a few things - it was a chaotic time in history, people are terrible to each other, no matter the era, and apparently Berenice was a beautiful woman. The author will certainly not let you forget that.

I found the narrator terribly slow and draggy. Thank you to the person who suggested speeding her up a bit. 1.3x was good. This is something I almost never do.

awesome.

when they knew how to write.
enthralling plot, deep character development, excellent narration.
and interesting history.

Once I sped it up, it was good

I found the narrator incredibly annoying, especially in the beginning, when her clearly older voice did not match the young subject, Her manner of drawing out words, drew me nuts. But the story was getting good, and I tried speeding it up, to 1.2, and that made all the difference. Suddenly the story flowed. The story was a vibrant and detailed telling of the story of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and a transformation of a very interesting woman, and the men in her life. I am happy I stuck with it..

A princess tale in the time before Shakespeare

Aching for theatrical performance and found this book which filled the gap. A story of a young princess in an era long ago you follow her journey. Married to her uncle against her wishes and the story of her life follows. Love, betrayal, innocence and a witness to a brutal time of politics and humanity. The narrator will lull you with the cadence of her voice at 1x speed. Another brilliant story by Howard Fast. The Immigrant trilogy and An Independent Woman are also great ones to add to your list. Great listening experience.

Decent book, ruined by the narrator

The story & plot of the book was interesting enough, even though there were times where the characters were a bit much to bear. Unfortunately the whole was absolutely RUINED by the narrator. She was absolutely atrocious. Her overall voice, inflection, and characterizations were grating & not in the least believable. I will never ever listen to a book narrated by Susannah Tyrrell again. She killed this book for me. A total shame & waste of a credit.

MORE LIKE "THE REAL HOUSEWIFE OF JUDAEA"!!!

What disappointed you about Agrippa's Daughter?

I thought I'd learn something about the lives of Jews in the 1st century under the Romans. What I did learn is more than anyone would needs to know about circumcision! There is just not enough documented history about Berenice for a good story. Howard Fast seems to have taken a whole 'nother approach to historical fiction. Instead of giving us an enlightened view of the people, places and things of that era, I feel as though I just listened to a 1st century "reality" show, where everyone is as ghetto or country or trailer-trashy as they can be!

Would you ever listen to anything by Howard Fast again?

Yes, I've read some of his other books so I know he's a good writer. I just can't figure out how THIS one garnered 5-stars.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Susannah Tyrrell?

Anyone would have been better. There's nothing wrong with Susannah Tyrrell overall - she's just not right for THIS kind of book. OR the book is so over-the-top that Tyrrell can't get her rhythm going. But, to answer the question, I think a narrator like Nadia May would have made Berenice sound less slovenly, selfish, and slutty.

What character would you cut from Agrippa's Daughter?

AGRIPPA'S DAUGHTER!!! She is the most unlikeable, unsympathetic character that I've ever had the misfortune to come across.

Any additional comments?

I'm going to have go back to my criteria of buying books that have positive WRITTEN reviews. This is the second book in as many weeks in which I am the first Audible listener to give it a review. It is not a mistake I will make for a THIRD time.

can we get a redo?

The story kept me going, but the narrator left me struggling. I might be interested in listening to a new version if this gets redone.