The Drifters

A Novel

By: James A. Michener

Narrated by: Larry McKeever

Length: 35 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

In this triumphant best seller, renowned novelist James A. Michener unfolds a powerful and poignant drama of disenchanted youth during the Vietnam era. Against exotic backdrops, including Spain, Morocco, and Mozambique, he weaves together the heady dreams, shocking tribulations, and heartwarming bonds of six young runaways cast adrift in the world - as well as the hedonistic pursuit of drugs and pleasure that collapses all around them. With the sure touch of a master, Michener pulls us into the private world of these unforgettable characters, exposing their innermost desires with remarkable candor and infinite compassion.

©1971, 2014 James A. Michener (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A blockbuster of a book... full of surprise, drama, and fascination." ( Philadelphia Bulletin)
"Rings with authentic detail and clearly descriptive sights and smells... The Drifters is to the generation gap what The Source was to Israel." ( Publishers Weekly)
"[The Drifters] conveys a sense of a new time, a new generation." ( Chicago Sun-Times)

Robot ruins the story

Such a great book i remember from my youth but the narrators robotic voice ruined it.

Great time piece

I like Michener, and this work had some great moments. From the standpoint of Michener writing about this time in history I believe he did a great job articulating some of the tension that young people faced during the 60's and 70's.

Drifters

Great story. As per most Michener books a great historical novel of tragic era of losses to war, drugs and sadness.
The reader is very poor. Got better as the story matured. I almost gave up on the beginning due to choppy word pronunciation almost as bad as computer reading. Liked the book. Never want to hear that reader again.

enjoyed this book

Michener is very good at intrrpreting the baby boomer generation : including the viet nam war, draft dodgers, and race relations,.He included the problems between His insight is amazing while he tells the tale of youthful optimists trying to solve the problems plaguing their generation.

Great Period Piece of The Sixties!

James Michener's, The Drifters, takes you on an International journey with six young people in the turbulence of the late Sixties. It was a confused time of unclear moral boundaries, Vietnam, drugs and some great music. I didn't want it to end!

Stands the test of time

I recently listened to this book which impressed me over 40 years ago when I first read it. It's surprising how much Michener got right in his predictions about the future of our society. Also surprising, was how I responded to the more politically incorrect word use found in sections of the book. Culture does shape us.

Wonderful

One of the best Michener books out there. You really get to know the characters and experience a dizzying world with them.

Good Listen

I first read almost 50 years ago and it was one of my two favorites along with Caravans. I read all of the comments about how horrible the narrator is. His delivery is a bit robotic but stick with it. It is less annoying the more you get into the story.
I really enjoyed this Audible version,

Read it back in 1972 at 24 years old.

In 2020 at 72 years of age it's not quite the same experience but still enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

Robot narrator

I am a Michener fan. This was the first book I read that he wrote. I loved it so much I eventually read all his books.

This narrator sounds like he just learned to read. Inflections - when there are any, are in the wrong place. It is painful to listen to.

You owe Jimmy M an apology, if you can stop him from spinning in his grave long enough to give him one.