Bittersweet

By: Nevada Barr

Narrated by: Linda Stephens

Length: 16 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Nevada Barr delights contemporary mystery fans with novels like Deep South and Blood Lure. In Bittersweet, she departs the mystery genre for a touching story of hardship, perseverance, and love in the old West.

When strong-willed schoolteacher Imogene Grelznik is forced from Philadelphia by scandal, the only position she can find is in rural Pennsylvania. There she meets Sarah, a beautiful young student whose bright light of potential is on the verge of being extinguished by her father's arrangement to marry her off to an abusive, unfeeling man. Branded as lovers, Imogene and Sarah must flee to Nevada amidst suspicion and accusation. In a place of utter desolation, the two women struggle to love and care for each other as they seek freedom from prejudice and intolerance.

Bittersweet showcases Nevada Barr's powerful storytelling and strong, compassionate characters. Linda Stephens' heartfelt narration captures all the emotional depth of a story featuring life at its harshest, and at its most beautiful.

©2004 Recorded Books (P)2004 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Barr has drawn on women's diaries from the Old West to bring detail to this unusual romance. The result is an intriguing story, sensitive and authentic-sounding, and far different from what is usually considered a Western novel." (The Miami Herald)
"The novel...is tender and gentle in its exploration of commitment between two women, especially in days when females were expected to live out their narrow lives doing exhausting work and obeying their husbands." (St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch)
"A solid, unabashed piece of writing that glows with authenticity." (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

incredible story beautifully told

an historical journey/ love story masterfully told. not for the homophobic or faint of heart

Excellent story, vivid prose, hauntingly honest reality, wonderful narration!

I am don’t like the reality of being honestly true to yourself when a person differs from the norm. It is a hard road to walk. The choice of compromise requires living life without integrity, Life as a people pleasing shape shifter who’s focus is on appearances create a blight of the soul.

bittersweet

I started this audiobook while on vacation in Panama City. At first I thought it was a little slow and then as I settled in and gave it a chance........well, it has been a remarkable read.
First of all this is set in a time of human unrest and the way people think is interesting.
I thoroughly enjoyed this 'read'. I know you laugh when I say 'read', but honestly as I sit and listen to these audio books I get much more out of them by listening than I ever did from actually "reading: them.
I liked the book and I will probably give this author another chance also.

Perfect Balance

A fellow reviewer had said that bitter sweet was a perfect title for this story and they where spot on .
This is a book of constant contrasts ,I find myself still thinking about the people that inhabited the pages wondering what there doing now, they touched me on a deep level not only in a touching way but also in a traumatic way ,this is seamlessly well made and very well told every detail is laid out unashamed and un flinching ,something I found confuting and joyful mostly in the same sentence. This is a harsh tale set in a harsh land ,and at times I found it hard to hear ,If your after a fluffy romance ,skip this if your after a realistic poetic and raw experience this is for you .( have the tissues on hand).

Such a sad book.

This is a very sad book. Cried as much as I did w/ The Well of Loneliness. To see the hardships that two women had to endure to live together in 1879. I t broke my heart. Maybe everyone should read it or listen to it in order to appreciate the way things are today.

Good book

This was pretty good...a female version of Brokeback Mountain I guess. Nevada Barr is an excellent author and I love her work, this is the only "ify" one in the 6 of hers I have listened to.
I enjoy the person who reads them.

The story is excellent

and that's the only reason I finished it. I gritted my teeth through the narration because it made me want to scream. People with dry mouth should not be narrators. The mouth noises and audible swallowing are so aggravating I'll skip by any story she narrates. So the story is fantastic. Nevada Barr is an excellent writer. Please don't ever let this narrator ruin any more books.

Good book, not a romance though

This was included as part of Escape, but it’s not a romance though a love story plays a central role. It follows the story of a teacher and her former student who run away together after the teacher is outed and the student thrown out by her husband. It follows them as they rebuild themselves after losses and work towards a future together in the US western frontier.

Beautiful story...

This was a beautifully told story that definitely lived up to its title Bittersweet. Though it takes a while to kick off once it gets building and everything is set up I couldn’t wait to finish listening. *spoilers* I will say I was slightly upset having to listen to the detailed telling of unwanted / slightly forced heterosexual sex scenes yet there was only slight alluding to any sexual relationship between the women. I chalk it up to the timeframe it was written. But it was a wonderful story and well worth the listen.

A beautiful love story

I’ve always loved this author. She never disappoints. You fall in love with her characters.