Golden State

A Novel

By: Michelle Richmond

Narrated by: Käthe Mazur

Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Dr. Julie Walker wakes on a summer morning in San Francisco to find a city in chaos. Today Californians are voting on a controversial ballot initiative that will change history. With the future of the state and the nation uncertain, the streets have erupted into violence.

Injured, Julie must make her way across the city by foot to the Veterans Administration Hospital, where her sister, recently returned from Afghanistan, is in labor. At the hospital a brutal scene is unfolding as a man who shares an intimate past with Julie begins to take his revenge. Throughout the ordeal Julie's estranged husband, desperate for reconciliation, sends out coded messages from the radio station where he is the well-known Voice of Midnight.

Five years in the making, Golden State is both a political thriller and a meditation on marriage, love, and loyalty. Like The Year of Fog, it is a page-turner with a philosophical bent.

©2014 Michelle Richmond (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Nearly every feature of this mesmerizing novel is provocative, as Richmond explores the fragmented, hopeful lives of complex characters... Gripping, multilayered, must-read fiction." ( Library Journal)

"Mesmerizing and intricate, Richmond's dissection of a California on the violent brink of secession from the nation provides the backdrop to her deeper inspection of the uneasy, fragile relationship between siblings...[a] riveting read." ( Booklist)

Beautiful story

I loved this story. The contrasts, the setting, the back stories. Julie’s courage, growth and awakenings. And this is my first book read by Käthe Mazur and now I want to listen to other books she’s narrated.

Thought provoking

This is a really captivating story and truly relevant. Thoughtful and insightful. very well narrated too.

Weak Abrasive Characters

The author is on her own journey of discovery, but it doesn't translate into sympathetic characters.

On the brightside the descriptions of San Francisco were accurate.

Surprisingly good story

Loved it Lots of twists and turns. Good character development of protagonist and other main characters

okay book

This was such a tough listen at times I had to restart this book three times. I really wanted it to be good and it probably was but by the end of the book I was waiting for it to be over. The story is great and it's an awesome premise. I just don't know if I would suggest listening. maybe reading

not my favorite

The story which wasn't bad jumped around alot, more than most. Which made it hard to know was she thinking of the past or was it in the past.
I liked the reader's voice but it was like she was telling a bed time story so, it was too relaxing.
Maybe others loved it but just not my cup of tea.

Interesting - Some things I loved, some that missed the mark.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I liked the suspense, the various story lines all intertwined (some of the things other reviews did not like). She did a great job with character descriptions and I especially like how the author weaves in references to songs - many that I had forgotten about - I went back and listened to and enjoyed again (hello, San Francisco Days). I am a veteran and veteran spouse, and also the mom of active duty Service members. You can tell she did her homework on that piece, but she somewhat painted all veterans as crazy and unhinged. It would have been nice to have had a few put together veteran characters to represent that there’s a wide range of veterans in our country - not all of them are unhinged. Great pictures of California and Mississippi. Also enjoyed the political storyline and even checked to see when the book was written b/c it was so eerie with today’s political climate - so she hit the nail on the head with that piece. As a free download, I was not disappointed.

Life is an adventure

This is definitely an adventure story and if you are a Bay Area Californian you'll catch all the references. Lots of fun.

So so

I was very hopeful after listening to The Marriage Pact. This more of a slice of life story, no mystery.

great performance

a story of lots of introspection, contemplation and real life decisions. Very talented and great performance by the narrator.