The Sins of the Mother

A Novel

By: Danielle Steel

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Every woman makes choices. And no one has made more difficult choices than Olivia Grayson. The enormously successful businesswoman missed out on much of her children’s lives while she built her legendary home-furnishings empire. In Danielle Steel’s character-rich novel, Olivia faces the past, tries to balance the present and make amends where due, while still running her vastly successful business.

As a way of making up to them for time lost, Olivia spends months each year planning a holiday that everyone in her family will enjoy. This summer she has arranged a dream trip in the Mediterranean on a luxurious yacht, which she hopes will be the most memorable vacation of all. Her lavish gesture every year expresses her love for them, and regret at all the important times she missed during her children’s younger years. Her younger daughter, Cassie, a hip London music producer, refuses the invitation altogether, as she does every year. Her older daughter, Liz, lives in her mother’s shadow, with a terror of failure as she tries to recapture her dream of being a writer. And her sons, John and Phillip, work for Olivia, for better or worse, with wives who wish they didn’t.

In the splendor of the Riviera, this should be a summer to remember, with Olivia’s children, grandchildren, and daughters-in-law on board. But as with any family gathering, there are always surprises, and no matter how glamorous the setting, things don’t always turn out as one hopes.

Family dynamics are complicated, old disappointments die hard, and as forgiveness and surprising revelations enter into it, new bonds are formed, and the future takes on a brighter hue. And one by one, with life’s irony, Olivia’s children find themselves committing the same "sins" for which they blamed their mother for so many years. It is a summer of compassion, important lessons, and truth.

The Sins of the Mother captures the many sides of family love: complex, challenging, funny, passionate, and hopefully enduring. Along the way, we are enthralled by an unforgettable heroine, a mother strong enough to take more than her fair share of the blame, wise enough to respect her children for who they really are, and forgiving enough to love them unconditionally.

©2012 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved (P)2012 Danielle Steel

As usual, a winner. excellent performance!

I loved this book like every other work by Ms. Steele. i highly recommend this performance . the narrater was very talented.

Very wordy

What did you like best about The Sins of the Mother? What did you like least?

I liked the plot lines and that it had a strong female lead. I thought it was too long and that Danielle seemed to forget she was a story teller and go into preaching mode too often.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I liked that she interwove the lives of Olivia's children throughout the story. I thought she worshiped Olivia a little too much.

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

She had great diction and was easy to understand.

Do you think The Sins of the Mother needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed with this book and it's put me off buying more from this author even though I've heard so much about her.

Good book

Would you listen to The Sins of the Mother again? Why?

No I find Danielle Steel is a bit predictable these days and everyone in her story is perfect

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Love the way the mum was the worker and found the children at times dull

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

She reads well. Enjoyed her a lot

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The new way

Good story line.

There are several spots where the same thing is said over and over. And over. Wait did I mention that already?

NO "WOW" factor... blah

Would you try another book from Danielle Steel and/or Cassandra Campbell?

Probably not... the story was really bland and predictable. Casssandra's voice is really soothing, in fact sometimes it just put me right to bed. I was sure to bookmark often.

What was most disappointing about Danielle Steel’s story?

The most disappointing thing was nothing happen that excited me. It was warm and sometimes you were able to relate to the characters, but definitely not entertaining. I soon realize I was only still listening to get my "credit" worth.

What three words best describe Cassandra Campbell’s voice?

Predictable. Boring. Simple.

Do you think The Sins of the Mother needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

no. all the pieces fell exactly where you figured they would in the end

Any additional comments?

On to the next book...

Free fall sex impedes on otherwise good story of family coming together.

While it was a good story about a family coming together after being very disjointed, it was sad that so many of them were involved in grossly immoral behavior. Was nice at the end all of them except the grandson were on the right track.

The Sins of the mother

The narrator is excellent .
It's a common story easy to follow and to enjoy in your spare time nothing outstanding but fun.

enjoyed

very good story, once the characters were established it held me. narrator is excellent, I enjoyed the book very much.

Only Truth can set one free

I truly appreciated this book for its truths about families. Like life only time will tell .

Performance

Reader was too wispy and breathy on all of the parts. Was really irritating and nauseous.