Revolution

By: Jennifer Donnelly

Narrated by: Emily Janice Card, Emma Bering

Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Brooklyn
Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

Paris
Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want - and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages - until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2010 Jennifer Donnelly (P)2010 Listening Library

Critic reviews

" Revolution is a sumptuous feast of a novel, rich in mood, character, and emotion. With multiple hooks, it should appeal to a wide range of readers." ( School Library Journal)

I FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS BOOK

and......I am not sorry I did. It was well worth a credit. I tend to stay away from "dark" stories but this one touched my heart. The lead character had "problems", but her telling of her story was heart lifting.

Gold Standard

The reviewer who summed it up as perfection pretty much scoops my review of this story, but for my unabridged opinion, please continue.. this is one of those rare books that not only is an engaging, entertaining story deftly written (with an intelligent, wry sprinkling of humor) by Ms. Donnelly, but makes an engrossing listen as an audiobook. The narrator(s) do a great job, and bring so much life and "animation" to the characters..without being over the top. Both of them pretty much nail the personalities and essence of Andi and Alex spot on, and even the more "minor" characters are engaging. This is a wonderful story that takes you so much farther and in such a different direction than it might sound like in the beginning, even though the beginning is enough to pique one's interest. (Sampling the excerpt made me want to continue on with the story..) It is a masterful blending together of different elements such as music, history, family relationships, travel, first love, overcoming grief, and a young woman's finding love and her "path" in life. This woven tapestry of a story is deftly written by the author, and if, as a human, you are touched by any of the aforementioned elements, you don't want to miss this story. Enjoy!

Great escape...

Great escape on a number of levels, age, time, place and attitude. The protaganist here is a somewhat unlikeable 17 year old; smart, angry, a bit redundant but fascinating. (Like many of us if we look back honestly). I got a feel for revolutionary France and the perspective from the "Royal's" point of view. Was reminded just how much a 17 year old knows and feels. Good narration with a couple accent slips but easy to follow.

Historical YA Fiction Well Done

After suffering the loss of her younger brother, Andi has difficulty moving on. She hangs with the wrong crowd and ignores her school work. In an effort to put her back on track, her estranged, yet award winning father with a new family, takes Andi to Paris. She is to research her favorite composer, completing her senior thesis.

After discovering the diary of a young girl from the French revolution, she becomes immersed in the past. Real-time Andi and past Alexdrine intertwine into an intriguing mystery.

Good YA read.

Couldn't stop listening!

I am an adult (thankfully not the only one!) who thoroughly loved this book. I enjoyed the combination of music and history woven into the story. Wish there were more of these!

Awesome!!!

This was one of the best books I have listened to in a while! I love the narrator! She is absolutely brilliant. The story just comes alive.
I will definitely be looking for more books of both the author and Narrator.

I didn't like YA when I was a YA, This transcends

This book transcends age categories. I'm so happy I read the reviews and thus did not dismiss this book as for YA.

Is there teenage angst? Yes, but only that which we all recognize as being a typical teens rebelliousness.

I'd read two other books by this author & was so impressed with her writing style, I decided to buy this one.

Gotta close, I'm going to see what else Audible has by her!

Not crazy about this book

I'm a 31 yr old female so not exactly a young adult but a fan of historical fiction. At times I like this book but there were a few times I had to turn it off because it was either so depressing I couldn't take the sadness anymore or the story took a turn where I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy the plot. I really found the whole french revolution story very boring did not intrigue me at all. The only thing that really kept me listening is the main narrator Emily Card. I listen to audiobooks whlie I work some narrators do not keep my attention and I drift away from the story Emily was able to keep me listening.

Revolution

Boring. Try as I might- I just couldn't get invested enough in the book to continue listening after the first few chapters. I would avoid this book!