The Final Solution

De: Michael Chabon

Narrado por: Michael York

Retired to the English countryside, an 89-year-old man, rumored to be a once-famous detective, is more concerned with his beekeeping than with his fellow man. Into his life wanders Linus Steinman, nine years old and mute, who has escaped from Nazi Germany with his sole companion: an African gray parrot.

What is the meaning of the mysterious strings of German numbers the bird spews out-a top-secret SS code? The keys to a series of Swiss bank accounts? Or do they hold a significance both more prosaic and far more sinister?

Though the solution may be beyond even the reach of the once-famous sleuth, the true story of the boy and his parrot is subtly revealed in a wrenching resolution.

Winner of the 2005 National Jewish Book Award. A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of 2004.

©2006 Michael Chabon (P)2006 AudioGO, Ltd.

So clever and well written.

Just fabulous. It’s also fairly short, though perfectly paced, so I keep listening to it over and over. The narrator is great, and .I really can’t imagine someone not liking this story. As another reviewer wrote, “Just listen to it and thank me later.” I’m glad I took his advice, and I do sincerely
thank him!

something about the editing is peculiar

Michael York is beyond reproach.

The voice of the author would change from charming and descriptive to some verbose boor in the space of a heartbeat. The two styles are noticably different. This glaring blunder overshadowed the story for me.

I hope the author engages a different editor in subsequent works; this one wasn't a good fit.

Stunning

This is an example of writing and narration working so beautifully together. Chabon and York together forever please :)

An elderly Sherlock Holmes with added nuance

A retired Sherlock Holmes, if not content at least adjusted to a quiet life of beekeeping, is involved in a mystery with a Jewish refugee boy, a murder, & a lost parrot.
Enhanced characterization & melancholy.

Don’t give up until you’ve heard it all

This did not start out to be a five-star review. In fact I had a hard time getting into it.at all. I even thought about giving up on it. But since it is a small book, I persevered. Now I’m very glad I did because the ending made it all worth it. The end came rather suddenly and it took me up short. I had to ask, “What just happened?” But when I realized what had happened, it took my breath away, and I literally cried. That it is based on a true story just makes it all the better.

This is a story that I probably will never forget. I think about it all the time, and probably will for a long time. My “want to read again someday” list is very short, but this book will go on that list for sure.

Listen To It

Don't ask questions. Don't contemplate it. Don't wonder at the vivacity of the narrator or the context of the narrative. Just listen to it. Thank me later.

Somebody bought a thesaurus

Story fine (albeit derivative) but the language choices were tedious. Not the worst use of a few hours.

Even better the second time

I listened to this some months ago and loved the writing, though I must have been distracted, because I quickly forgot the details. This week we got to stay with friends and met their African Gray. Of course I immediately thought of this book and considered gifting it to our hosts, but decided to listen to it again to make sure I knew what I was giving.
I'm so glad I did! The writing is amazing in true Michael Chabon fashion. The characters and their inner and outer workings (including the parrot's) are deeply moving and poignant. Both tongue-in-cheek, even laugh-out-loud witty humor as well as deep sadness and effects of traumatization that are so central to the human family. The novella strikes me also as a parody of crime and historical fiction. Mildly embarrassed I admit that last time I missed the most important part of the ending and thus had felt squeamish about the book's title.
An enthusiastic five stars all around: the narrator too does a wonderful job with the various voices and the quietness, sensitivity, and the occasional brutality (no more but no less graphic than the average crime novel) in this story.
I just ordered the print version as a belated houseguest gift!

A Good Listen

First off Michael Chabon is a fine writer. This book is a little different than his usual prose, but it is still a good read/ listen. Recommended if you want to read/listen to another fine offering by this author. Michael York does a solid job of narrating.

Required Reading

Just a perfectly polished gemstone of a story. Satisfying in every way. I loved it.