The Memory of Time

By: C. H. Lawler

Narrated by: Grainne Brookfield

Length: 20 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

1936, Shreveport, Louisiana 

Pretty young New Yorker Miriam Levenson finds herself here employed in the only job she can get - interviewing the elderly for the Roosevelt Administration’s Federal Writers Project. Among the people she meets are an aging Civil War hero, a French muralist and his common-law wife, and a 95-year-old Irish immigrant named Bridget Fenerty, a woman who has known tragedy and refused to buckle under it. 

Winter turns to spring, and Miriam finds there are people in this town who have secrets. And as she is followed by a mysterious man in a black Cadillac, Miriam finds that she, too, has a secret.

©2016 C. H. Lawler (P)2018 C. H. Lawler

Enchanting story

I loved The Memory of Time. I felt like I became a part of the characters lives; I could hear Bridget’s laugh, and feel the snow hitting my face as vividly described by the author. It was such a pleasure to read that I hated getting to the end.

Five Star Narrator

Generally predictable multi-generational saga spanning 1840s-1930s but voice actor Brookfield is spot-on juggling myriad accents, inflections and cadences from plucky, heart-o-gold Irish brogue to Deep South drawl to Texas twang to New York wiseacre. A tough assignment well-done. Could have been a muddled mess as an audio book, but she totally nailed it. Have added her to my list of five-star Audible actors.

"Never abandon the high ground." Miss Fenerty

Grainne Brookfield, beautifully and masterfully narrates this multi-generational story of the remarkable Irish immigrant, Bridget Fenerty, and the idealistic New York journalist, Miriam Levenson, whose destinies bring them together in Shreveport Louisiana. In the relentless pursuit of their truth north, neither women would bow to societal norms, surrender to fear, cower under opposition, wallow in self-pity or abandon the high ground. The reader is truly inspired to follow suit.

Brookfield not only exquisitely and precisely inhabits the larger-than-life personalities of Bridget and Miriam, she also flawlessly captures the spirit of the people who come into their lives over the years. She breathes life into each character with perfectly executed accents, cadence and nuances. The author, C. H. Lawler, makes his audio performance debut as New Yorker, Patrick Levenson, Bridget Fenerty’s beloved great nephew, proving himself talented as both a writer and a narrator.

I anticipate listening to this stellar audio performance many times in the future. It is definitely among my favorites.

Great read

Started off slow, but as Bridget’s story went on, it became compelling. The ending was strong and tearful.

Best book I’ve experienced in a decade!

The characters come to life in this novel on Audible because the narrator and author both breathed life into them. These characters were so well depicted that I feel as if I could draw portraits of them. l was thrilled to find a story that started in the same county in Ireland that we had visited last spring to help friends find their families’ tiny village. This novel also shed new light for me on the interactions between the 1850-era immigrant Irish and their neighbors, co-workers and employers in Louisiana, as well as the 1937-era interviews of the main character by a young New York writer sent to record elderly people’s life experiences during the Great Depression was nothing less than brilliant.
The wry humor and delightful guidance the main character, Bridget, shared with her loved ones is both heartbreakingly wise and bittersweet.

A must read

So much wisdom delivered by the character Bridget. I wish I had it in print form to earmark the pages. Uplifting and memorable

Excellent....top ten

As an avid consumer of historical fiction for decades, this book is definitely in my top ten books of all time favorites. From narration, to content. Enjoy this book and savor it. It will stay with you.

Fabulous , unusual historical fiction about the 1830s ff. & 1935 on

Wonderful story of the lives of 19th century Irish immigrants then of Jewish immigrants of that period and the following century. Cleverly intertwining of the two. Also covers key events of history and social mores in both eras. Poignant, sad at times, and happy at others. Insights into the roles of women in both eras as well. Set in both Louisiana and New York City.

Pure enjoyment

I loved this book from start to finish. It captured my imagination and evoked images of the characters and their surroundings.

A touching perspective on life.

While listening to this audio book, I learned of the passing of a beloved, quirky, elderly aunt. It was comforting and it gave me perspective. The performance was great. I just loved it.