The Smoke Jumper

By: Nicholas Evans

Narrated by: Eric Conger

Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

The fire that was to change so many lives so utterly started with a single shaft of lightning. It struck a mountain ridge on a still and moonless night and nestled like a pupa of death in the desiccated heart of an ancient pine.

The woman, camped nearby with her group of troubled teenagers, slept and heard nothing. She has brought them here by court order on a youth program to help them find themselves. But one among them will be lost forever. For soon the cocoon of fire will hatch to engulf the entire mountain and exact its deadly toll. And into this inferno will come...the Smoke Jumper.

His name is Connor Ford and he falls like an angel of mercy from the sky, braving the flames to save the woman he loves but he knows he cannot have. For Julia Bishop is the partner of his closest friend, an ambitious young musician called Ed Tully. Julia loves them both but the tragedy on Snake Mountain forces her to choose between them and burns a brand on all their hearts.

©2001 Nicholas Evans (P)2001 Random House Inc., Bantam Doubelday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Random House Inc.

Good story, needs a new title

A decent story, exciting at times, a little dull at others. I bought the book because of it's title and my interest in fire fighting. I was disappointed to find that the bulk of the book did not make reference to this. A more recurring theme throughout the book is photography, disappointment and the supression of emotions. Perhaps it should have been titled "The heart broken photographer"

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Low heat

I bought this book purely because of the narrator, Eric Conger, who contributes so much to John Sandford's books and surprisingly I was not disappointed. This compelling story is essentially about a love triangle between three very likable people. Perhaps the book's only flaw is that they are too likable. It's a little saccharine and predictable but it's an enjoyable listen, thanks in large part to Eric Conger.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The Smoke Jumper (unabridged)

I didn't want it to end and hated when I had to put it down.

9 of 12 people found this review helpful

So Good!

I loved it. It was a rollercoaster. It definitely is surprisingly more robust than what it initially leads on.

My favorite book. I read it at least once a year

No matter how many times I read it, I'm always captivated and moved to tears. I'm in love with this story and how vividly it is written

The Neverending Story

I truly thought this book would never end. It somehow told twelve stories about the same people with such little character development...

Great adventure love story

The story is a sojourn from young people working as fire fighters in the Montana woods to the other professions this leads them to. It is an epic from Montana to the war zone in Bosnia, Africa and South America and culminates in an epic love story that is very satisfying and fulfilling and as Evans does mixes it with sadness and happiness along the way. This story really touched me and I have listened to it several times since it came out.

Something's missing

Near the end of the book, I had the feeling that the rest of the book was somewhere beside me.....but when I looked, it wasn't really there. Truly, I checked to be certain that I had not inadvertently purchased an abridgement. Yes, the story fragments that are told show Evans at his best. Yes, the story is gripping. In fact, it is indeed because it is gripping that the fairytale ending is a bit of a letdown. What is the meaning of the burning elk's antlers and eyes? Where does Skye twist fate? When and how did Ed die? Why all the unwoven threads? A beautiful story unfulfilled. Still.....worth five stars. The parts of the story that exist are very well written.

Kind of slow . . .

This was a wonderful book, but I found it slow in some places. So much so, that I felt like fast forwarding through some parts. The plot to me, was too drawn out and I ended up getting frusterated with the characters.

A romantic adventure

This book is one of my 5 all time favorites. Nicholas Evans writes a wonderful story of romance, friendship and adventure. I didn't want it to end. I may listen to it again. I've loaned it to friends who loved it too.