Iago

By: David Snodin

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 15 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

An unforgettable adventure beginning where Shakespeare's Othello leaves off....

Wounded in love, tormented by his past, Shakespeare's most complex villain is brought magnificently to life in this tale of two adversaries - one an accused killer; the other, one of the most powerful men in Venice. Having escaped from Cyprus, accused of the murders of the governor, known as the Moor, and his lovely young wife, Iago is now locked in battle with Annibale Malipiero, known as Il Terribile, the chief inquisitor of Italy's greatest city.

Malipiero is repelled by the more brutal tasks of the interrogante. His obsession is with the very nature of evil. What makes a man into a murderer, he longs to know? Is Iago a lone psychopath, or does he lie at the heart of a more widespread Ottoman conspiracy? Malipiero knows that torture will not provide him with the answers he seeks. But there is, perhaps, a more audacious and unusual route to the truth....

Exuberantly inventive, thrillingly complex, and richly entertaining, Iago will captivate fans already familiar with Shakespeare and appeal to anyone who loves a rich historical novel. Iago marks the emergence of a remarkable new literary voice.

©2011 David Snodin (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

“Snodin gives readers a closeup of an unforgettable villain: his charm, his strength, his capacity for brutality and manipulation . . . . while simultaneously taking readers on a dark, fast-paced adventure with satisfying moments of humor and romance.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“Readers won’t need a thorough knowledge of Shakespere’s Othello to enjoy this vivid. . . novel, which is filled with all the drama, intrigue, and violence of Renaissance Italy—and even a little romance on the side.” ( Library Journal)

“[A] familiar coming-of-age story with a touch of Elizabethan finery. . . . A likable page-turner about love, war and conspiracy in the early 16th century.” ( Kirkus Review)

Convoluted story that was difficult to follow

What disappointed you about Iago?

Being familiar with Othello and some understanding of the character of Iago, I expected to learn more about Iago and his escape from the very beginning. I love complex plot lines that eventually find themselves converging to some point. It took this novel too long to make that happen.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I have already listened to Hunger Games and have The Life and Times of Owen Meany ready to go.

What three words best describe John Lee’s performance?

authentic accent, fluid

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment