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

Good Story

Would you consider the audio edition of The Sins of the Mother to be better than the print version?

Audio works best for me. I love to read but don't have time. So, I listen while I get my stuff done.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Loves the main character. She recognizes her short commings while standing by her decisions.

Not the best outta D.Steele . . .

This story and narration, together, boggle the mind. Yet having heard it right out of an unexpected gallbladder surgery, it'd be an equally perfect (read, 'perfectly insipid' - and, yes, sometimes 'insipid choices are 'perfect' for the right circumstance) - oh darn, I've just moved above my own ability to think right now. Just don't buy it unless you're trying to find the right book to tear apart in one of your beginning creative writing courses. "What is this book missing? Or after so manner better books, why would Steele even bother (money . . ., to get over a back relationship, who knows, who cares).

But if you're over 15 or intelligent or if you like to learn something while you're reading, please don't shed your shekels on this young girl's fantasy-come-true (which doesn't even emerge until, well, near the bitter end, I believe) . . .

In short, spare your money. Instead get, 'The Cottage', if you're wanting a story showing growth (I guess you could call it 'growth') - a much better D. Steele. Or, if you haven't yet read 'The Walking Series' books, by Richard Patrick Evans, give it a go. Talk about having an author touch your heart (altho he skimps out a bit around book 4 or so, with the shorter books. (Note: Just make sure you start from Book 1 - read some 'reviews' to find out.)
Or my fave, by Evans, 'A Winters Dream' narrated by the incomparable Fred Berman.

That's it.

Love it!! So compassionate

Love it Love bow this woman made it to the top and took care of her family the best way she could. How she suffer paying for the list time of being with her children,bhh at the same time she had a great mother and a great husband who loved her and stood by her side. The Narrirator was amazing!! Awesome voice and story teller I could not put this book down, I am glad I heard this book. Thank you again DNille Steele!!;

Amazing

i laughed, I cried, I booed and i hissed what a great story of family relationships and how they intertwined and supported each other. remarkable!

Loved it

What did you love best about The Sins of the Mother?

The story, this is the best Danielle Steel book I have read in years. I rarely purchase her books if the narrater is male. I find a female suits this type of story so much more.I could not put this book down and will read it again.The story is so complete you enjoy every bit I just did not want it to end. It was a pleasure to listen too. I have some of her books with a male narrator but find them a trial it is like listening to a speech sometimes, particularly one male who is really bad. Altho I would like to buy some of these book I do not and will not buy her books again unless we have a female narrator.

Which character – as performed by Cassandra Campbell – was your favorite?

Olivia she was so well read but then again Cassandra was amazing with every character.

If you could rename The Sins of the Mother, what would you call it?

The name was perfect.

Any additional comments?

It is a great book my favourite Danielle Steel ever and much better than any of her recent books.

danielle steel writes another great book!

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

yes. i thoroughly enjoyed the background of the characters. i could have done with more background on the youngest daughter but life goes on!

Who was your favorite character and why?

amanda. she was a person i loved to hate!

Which scene was your favorite?

the two weeks on the lady luck

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

i felt the action of adultery was a little too glorified for my taste. i understand the reasons behind the adultery, but i felt the characters almost made it seem like there was a certain nobility to it, like there was a respectable reason behind it. maybe i was reading it wrong but that's what i got out of it. i heard very little of one of the wife's feelings during the story. (i know of a couple going through hard times over an adulterous relationship and that's why it hit me so hard.)

Any additional comments?

i haven't wanted to read a danielle steel book in ages. this story was great and i highly recommend it to one and all!

Too much perfection

The only thing missing is a partridge in a pear tree. it got a bit ridiculous.

Captivating

The war between being a mother and business woman is a real struggle. It is the curse of being a women. We are expected to be ther perfect mother and be success at the same time. This book captures just that war. The children's struggles as adults and now they all come together as a family is heart melting and painful. It comes at a cost and they work through the pain. The narrator was wonderful and became ty he characters.

Just Okay - Barely

This story was just okay. The narrator was great. The first hour or so of the book made me want to vomit as the character kept droning on about how perfect her life was. if you can get through that part it becomes okay and is a story of a rich family with an absentee mom. The book isn't worth a credit, but I got it on sale.

One of her best!!!

Have you listened to any of Cassandra Campbell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Cassandra Campbell is always superb. I am not fond of the way she does male voices, but even with that small flaw, I always enjoy her performances.

Any additional comments?

This was an intricate love story involving an entire family, centered around a strong capable businesswoman who built a huge business. I am about the same age as Olivia and really enjoyed the way she was involved in the ups and downs of her fabulously wealthy family.