The Ghost Writer

A Novel

By: Robert Harris

Narrated by: Roger Rees

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Adam Lang has been Britain’s longest serving—and most controversial—prime minister of the last half century. And now that he’s left office, he’s accepted one of history’s largest cash advances to compose a tell-all (or at least, tell-some) memoir of his life and years of power.

As pressure mounts for Lang to complete this magnum opus, he hires a professional ghostwriter to finish the book. As he sets to work, the ghostwriter discovers many more secrets than Lang intends to reveal, secrets with the power to alter world politics - secrets with the power to kill.

Tense, gripping, and savvy, The Ghost Writer puts forth all the author’s long-term know-how about high stakes politics, journalism, and governmental deception. Set in America, on Martha’s Vineyard, The Ghost Writer is Harris’s finest foray into political fiction since Fatherland.

©2007 Robert Harris (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

• Thriller Award, Best Novel, 2008

Intriguing

I have read a number of Robert Harris’s books. I have found him to be an excellent historical novelist. According to my records I originally read this book in 2008, and it was first published in 2007. When I got this book, I did not realize I had read it before because of the different title. The original was named “The Ghost” this one is “The Ghostwriter”. This book is entirely different from Harris’s usual writings.

This story is narrated by the man who is a professional ghostwriter. He has been hired by a publishing company to complete a political memoir on a former British Prime Minister. The prior ghostwriter has just died. Harris has the regular story plot going, but underneath he has a subtler serious discussion about political memoires, truth, the use or abuse of power, international law and politics. Also, there is a on going discussion about the role of ghostwriting. I found the story interesting and it did start me thinking about the topic.

The book is almost nine hours. Roger Rees does an excellent job narrating the book. Rees is a Welsh actor as well as an audiobook narrator. Rees has won the Olivier and Tony Awards as well as the Obie Award.

CIA so evil?

What made the experience of listening to The Ghost Writer the most enjoyable?

Loved the experience of this story, loved the performance, yet couldn't get beyond the idea that the CIA is apparently now the focus of evil in the modern world. (So by extension is the USA?) They murder at will, torture, freely engage in international mayhem just like the old KGB. This is a yarn, very well told, unexpected ending, excellent in every way...except for the premise, which I overlooked in order to enjoy this storyteller's art.

What other book might you compare The Ghost Writer to and why?

Don't know.

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

He becomes the protagonist. He is perfect for this part.

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

No chance of that. Listened to it in the car, to and fro shopping and work. Sometimes at home.

Great book and terrific narrator.

Great book and terrific narrator. Highly recommend, especially if you are in an Audible slump, desperately searching for a political mystery that will grab and hold your attention.

A Real Thriller

By all means read this now as I have no idea how to movie version will be. The one great device the main character uses as a ghost writer is to repeat significant quotes from a book apparently on tips for ghost writers. Like any good thriller the plot has its share of twists and turns and it is smartly written, for very savvy listeners. I had to rewind once or twice for a line that anyone in the publishing business would "get" immediately.

The tension stays taut from the first page despite the fact that personal memoirs of statesmen tend to be dreadfully dull (i.e. This ghost writer knows what sells.)

Excellent narration and editing (i.e. no distracting noises with a perfectly matched voice to the character)

It's good, no wonder they made a movie out of it.

A compelling narrative

A compelling narrative, with a deceptively simple surface. I found this novel reminiscent of early John Le Carre (The Spy Who Came in from the Cold) although set in the present day. Harris' historical insight illuminates his treatments of ancient times, and this novel brings his integrity to a modern subject. This novel will make you think, even as you are entertained. A great listen!

Classic Harris

Another great book by Robert Harris. He doesn't disappoint with The Ghost Writer, even at moments when you think the book has lost momentum, it turns out he is just getting started. I have loved Harris' work since Fatherland and he appears to just keep getting better.

Worth a credit

Excellent story, narration, characters- It kept me in the car when I was parked and up at night. At first I thought our protagonist was a wimp, but he turned into a courageous person as the story progressed. I definitely recommend this book.

politicalthriller

Well-paced, suspenseful, really grips you to the end. Highly recommend.

Great story, distracting accents

I really liked this book - one of the few that I made extra time to listen to; I just NEEDED to know what came next. Minus a star for the narrator's attempt at accents, which wobbled a bit. A "female" accent frequently lurched into Scottish mid-sentence, while one American attorney clearly and sadly sounded like Don Corleone. Veddy distracting.

tens and fun

certainly guessed a few of the twists, but there are enough to still get your money's worth. also noticeably non-preachy for a book with a heavy background in politics and international affairs.