• The Coal Tattoo

  • A Novel
  • By: Silas House
  • Narrated by: Kate Forbes
  • Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (118 ratings)

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The Coal Tattoo  By  cover art

The Coal Tattoo

By: Silas House
Narrated by: Kate Forbes
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Publisher's summary

Two sisters can’t stand to live together, but can’t bear to be apart. One worships the flashy world of Nashville, the other is a devout Pentecostal. One falls into the lap of any man, the other is afraid to even date. One gets pregnant in a flash, the other desperately wants to have a child. This is what’s at the heart of Silas House’s third novel, which tells the story of Easter and Anneth, tragically left parentless as children, who must raise themselves and each other in their small coal-mining town. Easter is deeply religious, keeps a good home, believes in tradition, and is intent on rearing her wild younger sister properly. Anneth is untamable, full of passion, determined to live hard and fast. It’s only a matter of time before their predilections split their paths and nearly undo their bond. How these two women learn to overcome their past, sacrifice deeply for each other, and live together again in the only place that matters is the story of The Coal Tattoo.

©2004 Silas House (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

What listeners say about The Coal Tattoo

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    56
  • 4 Stars
    34
  • 3 Stars
    17
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    52
  • 4 Stars
    30
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    45
  • 4 Stars
    27
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    5

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Really Good

I liked this one - the dynamic between the sisters was just right and their story kept me interested. The narration was great - not too heavy on the accents and enough variation to give the individual characters their own feel. I give The Coal Tattoo 3.5-4 stars, a credit-worthy experience for sure.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

This Story Touched My Heart!

I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the characters in this story. Easter and Anneth especially were much more loveable in their imperfections than the story synopsis had led me to expect. Their love for each other and for their home was very touching.

The one aspect I would have liked to read more about was their "magic". Easter has the second sight and Anneth is always talking about believing in magic, but I would have liked these elements to have been more prominent in the story.

Kate Forbes did an excellent job as narrator - loved the accents!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Performance almost killed my interest in this book

I enjoyed the story to a great degree but I could hear the narrator swallow. Sounded like she was drinking something. Was almost annoying for me.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • DK
  • 12-11-12

Good Book - A bit heavy reading

What does Kate Forbes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great narration...no complaints at all.

Any additional comments?

Got this on sale and not something I would not normally have purchased. Good read - this is not a beach or light reading. Enjoyable but one must pay attention!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good narration!

What other book might you compare The Coal Tattoo to and why?

Fair and Tender Ladies

What about Kate Forbes’s performance did you like?

Sounded authentic!

Any additional comments?

It was authentic in the way it depicted how people think and react to situations.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sisters.

It’s something to feel that kind of love between sisters. I would love to see a sequel to this story, or even a film version. Silas House great job!
And the narrator was wonderful in her performance!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another Silas House win. Narrator was flawless.

I enjoyed this one as much as Silas House's other novels. Narration was completely flawless.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sisterly love at it strongest

This a great story about 2 sisters That live in the rural South. The story takes you through their triumphs, loses, heartbreaks and tribulations. The narrator does an amazing job with the voices of each character. The ending left me hanging and I felt like it needed a little something more, unless there is a sequel.
My only issue is hearing the narrator swallow loudly or smack and occasionly hearing someone in the background perhaps a child or a dog. Overall I was pleased with the story.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Simple Writing

Once again this book reads like a dime store novel. It's poorly written and not worth the time or trouble to listen. I purchased based on others' ratings and again I have to wonder about the people who wrote good reviews. It's slow, simple, poorly written and not even interesting.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

coal so o

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

the story wasn't great

What do you think your next listen will be?

probably something English

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

good accents

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I guess sisterly love and loyalty

Any additional comments?

Not very uplifting or redeeming quality. Not great writing.

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