Possession

By: A. S. Byatt

Narrated by: Virginia Leishman

Length: 22 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of England's Booker Prize and a literary sensation, Possession is an exhilarating novel of wit and romance, at once an intellectual mystery and a triumphant love story.

As a pair of young scholars research the lives of two Victorian poets, they uncover their letters, journals, and poems and track their movements from London to Yorkshire - from spiritualist seances to the fairy-haunted far west of Brittany. What emerges is an extraordinary counterpoint of passion and ideas.

©1990 A.S. Byatt (P)1999 Recorded Books

Fabulous

This story of discovery takes you from authors in Victorian to their researchers in today's England written with rich language.

Clever story and good writing but a little cold

This is a fine book in many ways. The double plot (the story of the researchers, and the story of their subjects) is nicely managed. And the imitation of 19th century styles in prose and poetry is very well done. But even though I'm steeped in the 19th century and British literature, I still found the book a little unexciting, clever, but a bit cold. I found I enjoyed the slightly humorous 21st century more interesting than the very serious 19th century story. The narrator is fine. And throughout, there are some very nice touches in the writing.

Love-Hate

I have mixed feelings about this book. At times, I was intrigued, and at other times, I just wanted it to be over. The overall story is original, mysterious, and romantic. The author’s vocabulary is vast, but the story can be very wordy and flowery. There was lots of poetry, which dragged on, but loved when the story was being told.

Slow start worth finishing

Stick with this very circular tale because once the dance is finished it is a delightful romp worth hearing until its conclusion

Excellent narrator! Brought the poetry to life.

Enjoyed this audio book. I enjoyed reading the book and was pleasantly surprised with how much the narrator brought the book alive. I really thought this wouldn't make a good audio book, how wrong I was.

Well written, wonderfully descriptive and moving.

this audio book is a well written and moving story of entertwining lives, passion and so often phrases that I wish I could have written down to remember. made me want to buy the book and read it myself

Was expecting Outlander-esqe. This is not so.

Struggled to finish the book. very boring. I was expecting something similar to Outlander.

This book is incredible!

I loved this narrator, and the book. I will be reading this many times in my life - there is just so much there! Despite going slowly and paying attention, I’m sure I missed stuff. The poetry and correspondence are especially beautiful, and if you’re on the fence about reading this: DO IT. 😊

Very impressive, highly recommend

I highly recommend this book. It is genuinely enjoyable to read. It easily has become one of my favorite books I have every read. It is a heart wrenchingly beautiful tale. I have so much respect for the author for creating fictitious poets full of fictitious poetry and stories, whilst combining it with real history and poets, what she has created is a very impressive. It is easy to for anyone to understand with basic knowledge of Romantic poetry, and exciting to uncover the mysteries as you read, it will keep you on the edge of your seat.I encourage everyone to read this book.

Mesmerizing!

I loved how the story wove back and forth in time! I loved how the poetry was beautiful, never too much nor too short. A satisfying read, especially for a reader of poetry and lover of intellect., and a ripping good yarn to boot!