The Eight

A Novel

By: Katherine Neville

Narrated by: Susan Denaker

Length: 25 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

New York City, 1972 - A dabbler in mathematics and chess, Catherine Velis is also a computer expert for a Big Eight accounting firm. Before heading off to a new assignment in Algeria, Cat has her palm read by a fortune teller. The woman warns Cat of danger. Then an antiques dealer approaches Cat with a mysterious offer: He has an anonymous client who is trying to collect the pieces of an ancient chess service, purported to be in Algeria. If Cat can bring the pieces back, there will be a generous reward.

The south of France, 1790 - Mireille de Rémy and her cousin Valentine are young novices at the fortress-like Montglane Abbey. With France aflame in revolution, the two girls burn to rebel against constricted convent life - and their means of escape is at hand. Buried deep within the abbey are pieces of the Montglane Chess Service, once owned by Charlemagne. Whoever reassembles the pieces can play a game of unlimited power. But to keep the Game a secret from those who would abuse it, the two young women must scatter the pieces throughout the world....

And there's more to the story! Don't miss the sequel, The Fire.

©1988 Katherine Neville (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Even readers with no interest in chess will be swept up into this astonishing fantasy-adventure....destined to become a cult classic." (Publishers Weekly)

“With alchemical skill, Neville blends modern romance, historical fiction, and medieval mystery...and comes up with gold.” (People)

“A big, rich, two-tiered confection of a novel...a rousing, amusing game.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

"Readers thrilled by The Da Vinci Code will relish the multi-layered secrets of The Eight.” (Matthew Pearl, author of The Dante Club)

Love this twisty plot!

Great listen. The plot touches on the many influential figures in history and makes you want to investigate more.

A great read for puzzle lovers

This book is all about the adventure, the clues, the journey. It takes the reader on a trip across time and land, enveloped in a millennia - old mystery. I am certainly trying the next book in the sequel.

Slow and too convenient

The story was meant to be this great chase, and solving of clues, in a similar vein to Dan Brown’s Angles and Demons with characters jet setting around the world, running from bad guys, and doing super secret detective work on ancient clues. That said, it does these things, but it’s slow, the characters in the histories meet other historical figures too conveniently, and the “present day” characters are all too closely related.
It’s not bad, but it will challenge your suspension of disbelief.

Different the 2nd Time

I read this book not long after it was first published. I remember being absolutely wrapped up in it. Listening to it some 30 years later, the writing feels different. Some passages I thought “If I hear about someone’s eyes being pools of anything one more time…”. It was and is a great story and a great idea. It should have been edited better and drop some of the more sophomoric references to glimmering eyes, heated limbs, etc. I am not a fan of romance novels and this book seemed to dance on that line a few times. I thought the narrator did a great job with all the different characters.

Brilliant Story

I listen to audible books everyday. This was one of the most interesting stories with dabbles of ancient history weaved throughout the fun mystery. This may now be my favorite book of all time!

Absolutely amazing! She's better than Dan Brown!!

Kathrine Neville proved to be the master of cryptic thrillers, for me she beats Dan Brown!

not a bad reas

loved that the narrator did voices. story was interesting, a little too much "name dropping" as if she needed to add familiar names to make it more interesting when they really didnt add to the storyline. most memorable part was the prison scene
love Kayaoka and Lily.

Good story, but I think I should have read this.

Would you try another book from Katherine Neville and/or Susan Denaker?

It's a very good story, but I think that it would be better in print, rather than audio, not that the narrator was bad.

Would you be willing to try another book from Katherine Neville? Why or why not?

Yes, but I'd probably read it.

What about Susan Denaker’s performance did you like?

She did a good job, but as I said before, I think this story lends itsself to being read, rather than listened to.

Do you think The Eight needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

not really

Looking for a long book - here's your answer!!

I wanted something to tie me over until my new credits and pre-order arrived. So when I saw the length of this book, I was thrilled. I had never read anything by Katherine Neville, so part of me was a little hesitant. And then I started listening ...

I was quickly consumed by the Cat's and Mirelle's stories. I found myself listening when I should have been doing other things - working, studying, and sleeping. I even put in extra time at the gym because I was so engrossed.

Not being a chess player, I can't say I understood everything they spoke of - but it didn't matter. The historical references to time and place, made the entire story believable and "real" (much like Dan Brown can do).

Well worth the time and credit!!!

Great plot, well written

one of the best novels ever! couldn't wait to hear what would happen next