The Land

By: Mildred D. Taylor

Narrated by: Ruben Santiago-Hudson

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ever since running away at the age of fourteen, Paul-Edward, the son of a white landowner and a black slave, has had one dream: to own land every bit as good as his daddy's. While growing up, Paul-Edward loved, and feared, his father, but he loved the land unconditionally. Then, after a rash act of youthful rebellion, he leaves his family behind and vows to succeed on his own. However, for anyone black coming of age in 1880s Mississippi, this is no simple goal. From horse racing to lumber camps to outwitting double-crossing businessmen, Paul-Edward will do what it takes to make his dream come true, along the way discovering his own strength, learning the value of friendship and even falling in love.

©2001 Mildred D. Taylor (P)2001 Random House, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Readers...will grab this and be astonished by its powerful story." (Booklist)

"[Narrator Ruben] Santiago-Hudson brings the Southern dialects alive for listeners and unfolds this rich story with astute understanding and compassion.... It's a powerful, evergreen story that furthers our understanding of American history." (AudioFile) 

Totally Awsome Story!

Here is a book that can't be sat down! I have loved other of her books but this one is just fantatic. The story is gripping and heartwarming. There is not annoying profanity, or uncomfortable sexual scenes. This book is one that makes you sit in the car long after you have finished your trip and keep listening. The characters are developed well, and maybe the best thing is that I found myself wanting to have the character and integrity of Paul.

Thank you Mildred Taylor and thank you Audible!

Jack Rose

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Laugh and cry!!!

I will never forget this story! This is the best written book since Memoirs of a Geisha. I highly recommend listening to this book. Inspiring, sad and beautiful. This is my first Taylor book. It won't be my last. I wish I could give more stars.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Engaging, Captivating; Intriguing; Reflective

I love this book. Everyday I looked forward to going to my car just to listen to it. By the time I made it to work, I didn't want to get out of the car. I felt like if I go into the office, I would miss something.

This book was written so well, I felt like I knew the characters personally. I enjoyed following Paul and Mitchell to adulthood and I'm sure everyone else who reads/listens to this book will have the same feeling. You will be engaged from beginning to end.

I've recommended this book to every reader I know and highly recommend it to my colleagues of audible.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

The Land

Wow! What an eye-opening history of segregated/learning how to co-exist American history. The language was strong by todays standards, but true to life for the time this book represents. I strongly recommend mature teens to listen to this one.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Gripping

This story made me feel as if I were part of a history that I wish had never existed. Growing up in the south in the 60s and 70s, prejudice was an unavoidable reality of life. It was as if I became Paul Edward and began to see the world in a different time and light. And COLOR. It made me question my own heritage.
All personal reactions aside, this is a gripping tale with vivid characters and heartmoving twists. EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Overwhelmingly joyful story-I hated for it to end!

Where does The Land rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

By far, the best story I have ever heard. I couldn't stop listening and I cried through out the whole last chapter. The ending was more that I could have imagined. I especially loved the narrator. I wish he narrated more of Mildred Taylor's books. (Lynne Thigpen and Ruben Santiago-Hudson are both awesome narrators!) Thank you both, and Mildred Taylor, for such a pleasurable book to listen to!

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the whole book...but the ending was my favorite.

Which scene was your favorite?

Without giving it away, I loved the surprise at the end, when the wagon stopped and Caroline & Nathon thought it was just to rest for the night. (I don't want to give away the best part to anyone reading this that hasn't had a chance to read or listen to the book)

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Persistence and honesty always triumph over wickedness and greed...so never give up on your dreams...

Any additional comments?

These stories by Mildred Taylor are priceless. My daughter, a 6th grader, introduced me to 'Roll of Thunder, here my cry', when they were reading it in language arts class this year. She talked about it every day until I finally had to read it myself. Now I can't get enough of these wonderful stories by Mildred Taylor. Everyone should read these stories. They're wonderful (sad & happy) stories of our past that should never be forgotten.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Even the kids loved it!!

Any additional comments?

My family and I listened to this book while driving to Las Vegas. It was so good, we didn't want to get out of the car when we arrived at our destination. We couldn't wait to find out what would happened next!!!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent...a real treat!!!

"The Land" is an awesome listen. I couldn't get enough and the characters were so believable. The language for that timeframe was so befitting. Sometimes it's kind of hard hearing the "n" word being used, but because of the time in which this book took place it didn't seem at all offensive. I think the author did an amazing job and the book was exceptional from top to bottom. This book made me laugh, want to cry, kick and scream and at times it made me want to stand up and cheer! I will definitely be keeping this one close at hand.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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I love this book its so exciting and keeps you on your toes the whole time!!!!!!!!

Great Read

read it as a kid and its still as good as I remember it. reccomend it

Great

Great as always with Mildred. its great to here about the struggle to get land. The land that we have herd so much about in the other books

Beautifully Written and Narrated Story!

I genuinely loved this story and was so sad when the book ended, as I wanted more. The tale covers happiness, sadness, love, hate and triumph over adversity. Well worth a listen!