The Pale Blue Eye

By: Louis Bayard

Narrated by: Charles Leggett

Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

When the body of a suicide victim disappears at West Point Military Academy in 1831, only to be discovered hours later missing its heart, the Academy calls on retired detective Gus Landor to investigate. Landor is something of a legend among his peers, noted for an uncanny, Holmesian ability to read people. When Edgar Allan Poe, a new cadet, comes forth with his own cryptic conclusion - that the man Landor is looking for is a poet - Landor is intrigued and enlists Poe as his assistant. Working together, Landor and Poe narrow down the suspects, all the while dealing with their own personal demons.

©2006 Louis Bayard (P)2014 AudioGO

Wonderful novel with excellent narration

This was a great listen! Although it might be notable for Edgar Allen Poe's inclusion in the book as a cadet at West Point, the novel really stands on it's own even if he weren't the character who helps the protagonist investigate murders and mayhem on the West Point campus. The narrator voices the characters well, and it was an all-round pleasure to listen to.

Absolute gem

I've had this in my wishlist for 5 years, and I'm kicking myself for not getting it 5 years ago. Stellar period murder mystery

One of the best audiobooks I have ever enjoyed!

What made the experience of listening to The Pale Blue Eye the most enjoyable?

Bayard's writing style perfectly captures mid-19th century American diction--reminiscent of the best of Twain and Harte. With just a few seemingly simple changes to cadence, pitch, intonation, Leggett creates vivid and memorable characters.

What other book might you compare The Pale Blue Eye to and why?

Unfortunately, I am unable to recall another book now. But this is a masterfully woven tale of intrigue and mystery, with an unexpected twist at the end. Marvelous!

Which character – as performed by Charles Leggett – was your favorite?

Poe.

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

What you never knew about Edgar Allan Poe....

Could not get through it

I would recommend they first listen to the "sample". The gentleman narrating appeals to many, but I find his voice difficult to listen to. I found the story to be slow, convoluted, and ponderous for my taste, and was surprisingly annoyed by the repeated reference to "Reader", the Poe (and other) quotes, and the attempts to create other "voices" by the narrator. Others have loved both the performance and the story. I did not finish the first half, and will be returning it. The three stars were given as I felt the narrator was trying, and I didn't think it fair to give one star to a book I had not finished. It and I were NOT a good fit.

Highly Enjoyed

Eventful narrative. Exceptional narration. Does get a bit weighty with 'Poe's' prose round the middle but the ending more than makes up for it. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys their historical fiction touched by a bit of the fantastical. Bayard never fails to create (or in some cases re-create) larger than life characters who linger with you for some time after.

Chilling Novel, Beautifully Done

Any additional comments?

While I don't know much of Poe the actual man, I suspect that Bayard attributed far more positive attributes to him than he warranted. That did not take away from the book. The plot had you suspecting the ending, and yet you didn't know quite how it fit and then came the twist. The setting and the tautness of the tale make this a book that will keep you in the car a little longer to fit in another few pages of audio. The reader's performance was great, a voice I would like to hear more.

Stick With It

What made the experience of listening to The Pale Blue Eye the most enjoyable?

Young Edgar Allen Poe. And the mystery. The ending.

What other book might you compare The Pale Blue Eye to and why?

It was not like any other book I have read. And I read A LOT.

What about Charles Leggett’s performance did you like?

I didn't like it at first, but it grew on me and by the end, I really had gotten used to his style and thought it was appropriate for the book. I think it was probably a pretty difficult book to narrate.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. But I did enjoy the end. And it made me want to read up on Poe's early life. Also look at pictures to find out if his forehead really WAS so large.

Any additional comments?

This book took me two tries. The first time I started to listen, I abandoned it after about an hour. Then I went back to it at a later time and got interested and enjoyed it very much. It was different than I thought it was going to be. But not in a bad way.

Louis Bayard - one of my favorites

What did you love best about The Pale Blue Eye?

EXCELLENT twist at the end... Never saw it coming

What other book might you compare The Pale Blue Eye to and why?

Stands on its own

Have you listened to any of Charles Leggett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First time - but not the last

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

It would be very difficult to condense this to a movie - too much detail/backstory would be lost

Any additional comments?

I love the unexpected-

What a great read!!

A murder mystery in an unlikely place, unlikely time and a very unlikely character!
This book made me wish there would be a series of these. The tiniest bit slow at the start, I was sucked in early on and just loved it!

Good story but dragged a bit

Good story with interesting characters. I believe for reasons of obfuscation, the writer showers the readers with many side excursions and many will find the climax of the book far too elusive to reach. However, hang in there and you will be rewarded.

Charles Leggett is an excellent narrator and does a superb job.