Genesis

Idolatry, Book 1

By: Quent Cordair

Narrated by: Robin Field

Length: 4 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the twilight of the Roman Empire, a sculptor struggles to keep an 800-year dream alive while honoring the love of his life and raising his adopted son. Part I of the epic five-part Idolatry series, the story of a wealthy young heir and a devout Christian girl who find themselves at the heart of a 2,400-year struggle for the soul of Western Civilization.

©2014 Quent Cordair (P)2016 Quent Cordair

Critic Reviews

"Beautifully written, on the order of Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth, with the historical insight of James Michener, it brings to life a time of great thought, great art, and its clash with religious fanaticism. Cordair writes with a poet's sense of scene and nuance and gives us a great deal of insight into the mind of a sculptor." (Alan Nitikman)

I listened to it twice in a row

Would you consider the audio edition of Genesis to be better than the print version?

Yes, the narrator was very clear and used good voices for different characters.

What other book might you compare Genesis to and why?

I like how his characters seem like real people who we get to listen to think through events and care about things. Other books like this include Harry Potter and Les Miserables.

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

He has a clear, good voice, and the way he pronounces all the words when describing physical settings helps me get more out of the writing than if I skimmed it with my eyes because I can let my mind draw up the settings.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! It was short enough that I even listened to it twice in a row.

Any additional comments?

Another great story by Quent Cordair! He's one modern author it's worth reading everything by. Idolatry has relatable yet heroic characters driving an interesting plot in a well-researched and well-drawn historical setting, and it dramatizes the competing ideologies of Aristotelianism, Platonism, and Christianity. I love his descriptions of the characters' observations and thought processes. Quent Cordair's characters are individuals who think and care about the world, not just pawns necessary to enact events. I look forward to Books 2-5.

Food for the soul

Love this book, can't wait for the next book. Great characters, delightful heroism and story telling.

Great book, great narration

What made the experience of listening to Genesis the most enjoyable?

Mr. Field's voice is a pleasure to listen to. He changed his voice for a few characters, in appropriate spots, for clarity and they weren't overdone. (This can be a problem with some narrators.)

The story was excellent and had me eager for Book 2 to be done!

Excellent Audiobook

I had previously read the book, which I throughly enjoyed. This review is focused on the audiobook version. I loved the narration. Knowing the story did not spoil the experience one bit.

Think about sitting next to a fire-pit in the night and being told a story by an elder about a time in the past, but a story with an underlying philosophy that permeates time and place. The story is placed in Ancient Rome, but it might as well be Syria today. The voice is peaceful, nostalgic, steady, and clear, however, the narrator is able to inject emotion appropriately.

As it so happens, the fire starts to die and the elder tells his listeners that the story will have to continue the next night. Eagerly waiting for the next four parts in both formats.

Fascinating!

Absolutely riveting. I was pulled into the story, and could hardly "put it down". In this case, pause the story. Highly enjoyable. I can hardly wait for the next chapter in the saga, Idolatry.

Beautiful writing

I loved the story telling in this book and how it transported me to another time and place. Highlighting the beauty inherent in humans with a gripping love story.

The Story Grabs You

Where does Genesis rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Solidly in the top 20%.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Myron best because of his untamed enthusiasm. He has so much joy in living his life!

What about Robin Field’s performance did you like?

The pacing was professional and the enunciation clear. But the personality of his voice has the character of an older man, which I found awkward during the romantic scenes.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to hear the next story in this series and find out what happens!

The sacking of individual happuness

Quent Cordair creates characters you come to love...and breaks your heart with the awful mob that abuses them.