The Illegal

By: Lawrence Hill

Narrated by: Gideon Emery

Keita Ali has nothing: no bank account, no papers, no legal identity. A runner, he has fled home - a brutal dictatorship that produces the world's fastest marathoners - to live as an illegal refugee in a wealthy Western nation, surviving on winnings from local races. But the government is cracking down on illegal immigrants, so Keita - who will be executed if he is deported to his homeland - goes underground.

Now a series of crises call for him to earn quick money: an unscrupulous businessman targets him, a serious health problem erupts, and, most troublingly, officials in Keita's native country kidnap his sister, threatening to execute her unless he pays a ransom. As Keita struggles to resolve these problems, he discovers a troubling political connection between his native and his adoptive countries.

The Illegal is a rich, riveting novel that weaves a complex moral and psychological web.

©2015 Lawrence Hill Creative Services, Inc. (P)2016 Recorded Books

Very good read

The narrator was captivating. I loved the way he could switch character and you knew who was talking. Job well done.

Different -good different

I liked that this is different than most books you'll listen to. It's not just another novel to pass the time. You'll get a glimpse into lives you'll never experience and develop empathy for people you probably don't even think about. The characters are real - flawed, emotional, gullible, complex. And so, so likable. You'll find yourself routing for the underdog.

Besides, there's a paraplegic, black, lesbian character. Kudos to the author for going there.

The Illegal

The was just wonderful to read. Tender. Warm. Sad. Hope. So many characters, and the reader did a wonderful job of bringing them and the words to life. I highly recommend this book.

Entertaining But Predictable

An entertaining story but a little predictable and the ending was too nicely wrapped up. I appreciated the timely social commentary, however. The narrator did a decent job but a few of the character voices were downright creepy.

Outstanding Performance of a great Book.

I rarely use the above terms in a review but this author deserves recognition in all three categories. Mr. Emery 's ability to alter his voice for different characters is remarkable. I could imagine the faces of many of the lead people.
Listen to this book. It is the BEST I have heard all of 2015-16!
L