Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Ugly Duckling  By  cover art

The Ugly Duckling

By: Iris Johansen
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

With more than eight million copies of her books in print, Iris Johansen has captured top spots on national best-seller lists and attracted a wide audience of fans. Renowned for her superb storytelling, Johansen adds a dark twist to the well-known fable in The Ugly Duckling.

Nell Calder is the docile, plain wife of a powerful financier. She is content to live in the shadows of his elegant international life. Suddenly one night, at a lavish party, a hit man targets her husband. Nell’s face and body are deeply marred by the same violent hand. But from the ensuing surgery and rehabilitation, Nell emerges beautiful, strong, and bent on revenge. To develop the skills she needs to face her attacker, Nell must conquer her fear and face almost impossible odds.

Layered with suspense, drama, and passion, this fast-paced story plunges you into Nell's dangerous mission. Narrator Barbara Rosenblat provides the perfect pace for a gripping, sophisticated tale.

©1996 I. J. Enterprises (P)1998 Recorded Books

What listeners say about The Ugly Duckling

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    103
  • 4 Stars
    37
  • 3 Stars
    19
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    94
  • 4 Stars
    33
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    5
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    96
  • 4 Stars
    28
  • 3 Stars
    17
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Love Barbara R!

Good story, a bit predictable at times, but the narrator was splendid! Will definitely check out what else she has narrated.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

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

Still Great.

I read this book in the 90's after i found the paperback in my apartments laundry room. it was so good then. I saw it on Audible and thought i would see how i felt about it now. Its still a great story and the narrator gives the characters life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

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

Worst narration EVER!

This is actually a really good book, but the narration is absolutely awful. I couldn’t even get through the 2nd chapter. The narrator has a serious smoker voice and there’s no variation between characters. Also, you can hear her taking breathes which is really annoying. I ended up just reading the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

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

REVENGE---WHAT IT IT, GOOD FOR?

WE KNOW THE SONG, BUT LIVING OR PAYING WITH THIS AS A CURRENCY IS A FRIVOLOUS PURSUIT. YOU MUST UNLEARN BEFORE ONE'S LIFE IS ORE IT IS "THE CROSS" THAT LIVES AND LETS YOU FLY "TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH THE FACE OF GOD.". ARE YOU ABLE TO CONTEND? IT IS NOT ONE FOR THE TIMID.OF HEAR TED.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

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

My fave Iris Johansen

I read this a while back…and just finished Audible. I couldn’t remember any of the plot points so it was like a new book to me. Sweet. So good.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

Too Many Deep Inhales

The narrator took so many deep inhales that made me feel she was bored with story. She did a great job with different characters.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

Favorite Book

This has always been my favorite book and the narrator was great at making it come alive!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • DJ
  • 02-01-14

One of my favorites.

What made the experience of listening to The Ugly Duckling the most enjoyable?

I heard this years ago and enjoyed it very much. The whole idea of a less than beautiful woman being remade inside and out was interesting. I just recently purchased the audio so I could hear it again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Ugly Duckling?

The lengths the main character was willing to go to make things right. Stepping out of her comfort zone and doing the hard work to change.

Which scene was your favorite?

I didn't have one. I enjoyed the entire book.

Any additional comments?

I don't normally support revenge in any form. But this was a different twist. The book had several unexpected turns that made it good from beginning to end.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

Great book

Enjoyed the book and it’s many characters with intrigue and twists of plot and different locations

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Fast Paced Revenge

Ms Johansen is Busting with good on this one. Many leads to keep track of with sight on the target Never Lost! Great all consuming read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!