The Book of Harlan

De: Bernice McFadden

Narrado por: Robin Miles

The Book of Harlan opens with the courtship of Harlan's parents and his 1917 birth in Macon, Georgia. After his prominent minister grandfather dies, Harlan and his parents move to Harlem, where he eventually becomes a professional musician. When Harlan and his best friend, trumpeter Lizard Robbins, are invited to perform at a popular cabaret in the Parisian enclave of Montmartre - affectionately referred to as "the Harlem of Paris" by black American musicians - Harlan jumps at the opportunity, convincing Lizard to join him.

But after the City of Light falls under Nazi occupation, Harlan and Lizard are thrown into Buchenwald - the notorious concentration camp in Weimar, Germany - irreparably changing the course of Harlan's life.

Based on exhaustive research and told in McFadden's mesmeric prose, The Book of Harlan skillfully blends the stories of McFadden's familial ancestors with those of real and imagined characters.

©2016 Bernice L. McFadden (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Simply miraculous.... As her saga becomes ever more spellbinding, so does the reader's astonishment at the magic she creates. This is a story about the triumph of the human spirit over bigotry, intolerance and cruelty, and at the center of The Book of Harlan is the restorative force that is music.” ( Washington Post)

"McFadden packs a powerful punch with tight prose and short chapters that bear witness to key events in early twentieth-century history: both World Wars, the Great Depression, and the Great Migration. Partly set in the Jim Crow South, the novel succeeds in showing the prevalence of racism all across the country - whether implemented through institutionalized mechanisms or otherwise." ( Booklist)

"Through this character portrait of Harlan, McFadden has constructed a vivid, compelling narrative that makes historical fiction an accessible, literary window into the African-American past and some of the contemporary dilemmas of the present." ( Publishers Weekly)

Raw, heartwrenching, yet sadly believable

Robin Miles nailed it with an amazing depiction of a diverse range of characters. Loved it. Unlike most novels, however, things weren't tied up neatly and the reader is left hanging, wondering why. Perhaps this is reality.

A dynamic duo--McFadden and Miles!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would and WILL recommend this outstanding, compelling book to friends. McFadden is one of my favorite authors and this work exemplifies why. She has a way of drawing the reader in to the character, atmosphere and circumstances that is mesmerizing. To say the story was well written was an understatement. The weaving of human spirit and history marveled all the senses.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the inclusion of true to life historical facts and figures from Louis Armstrong to the Holocaust-WOW! It made me want to learn more about Blacks in the holocaust. I am a jazz lover so the references in this area were out of sight! I also liked that the ending was not one I could have predicted and the way it brought everything full circle.

What about Robin Miles’s performance did you like?

Her cadence, tone, expression, ability to have the listener feel the words, audio clarity and command of language and accents. She is my favorite narrator--an honored griot. I especially enjoy her her West Indies/Jamaican tongue.

If you could rename The Book of Harlan, what would you call it?

Retribution

Any additional comments?

Don't make us wait too long for the next one!

Great

This is a great saga. The story guides us through the life of Harlan Elliot, a young African American man growing up in Harlem, New York. It intertwines the terrible impact of structural racism in the life of an African American family. Police are used to tear apart a friendship between Leo, a Jewish young man, and Robert, an African American young man. Harlan is arrested and serves time for possession of a small amount of marijuana. It also highlights the little-known fact that African Americans were in Nazi death camps. There is one plotline that was never addressed sufficiently but I would recommend this book highly.

Excellent In Every Way

I was t sure what to expect from this book. I read the first few lines of the summary and decided to jump in. The story was sweeping, spanning across the life of one man. But the way the story was developed you REALLY got to know every character who played a time in his life. A well crafted abs epic tale of loss and love.

The narrator was absolutely brilliant, she brought every character to life in a different tone and texture. She is a narrating treasure. She kept me completely captivated throughout.

Bravo, one of the best yet on audible!

Gripping, heartbreaking and triumphant

Bernice McFadden is one of my favorites and she did not disappoint! There is a recurring six degrees of separation in her work and this story can indeed confirm “ the world is round”. Spanning 3 generations, we can examine human development, in addition to choices and the backdrop of fate.

Great book!

I really enjoyed this book and all the characters that were part of Harlan’s directly and indirectly. My only disappointment was the loop wasn’t closed on Gwen, Harlan and their twin sons. They just disappeared from the book. Even though they weren’t meant to be, I think that relationship ending should have been addressed somehow. Overall, a great book!

Interesting twist and turns

The book of Harlan was a better read than I anticipated. It was because of the many twists and turns; the inter- consecutiveness makes the story powerful!

A surprise turn

loved this story, although heartbreaking. it gave a perspective on the holaucost that is not spoken of very much which is the black experience. I was surprised at this turn in the book but so very appreciative of it. This book is well written and well performed. I highly suggest listening to it. I couldn't put it down.

Speechless

Wow, this is 1st time a books end left me speechless. I want to follow Harlan into his new life and see if he ever finds his kids.

A Good Read!!!

I have looked through soo many books and finally found this one and LOVE it! It’s a good story with easy to understand language for example the words are written the way we would speak to each other. It’s kept my attention and has good taste.