The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

By: Avi

Narrated by: Alexandra O’Karma

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Avi’s swashbuckling tale of murder and mutiny on the high seas has a fascinating twist: the heroine is a 13-year-old girl. In 1832, Charlotte Doyle boards a ship bound for America and is caught in a battle between a mad captain and his ruthless crew. If you’re looking for an action-packed adventure story for girls, you’ll find it in The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.

©1990 Avi (P)1992 Recorded Books, LLC

oldie but a goodie

I remember listening to this book in middle school, completely enthralled with Charlotte's adventures at sea. The magic hasn't faded over the past twenty years. I strongly recommend this audiobook.

We loved it!!

We loved listening to this in our 5th grade classroom!!It really saves a teacher's voice when the books are on audibles.

Newberry Honor Book for a reason...

I read this Newberry Honor book aloud to my kids when they were pre-teens, enjoyed its exciting clipper ship setting then and enjoyed it again now. Although I had to suspend my disbelief a few times as the plot becomes ever more complicated... I found I was glad to do it. To me the narration was pretty good considering the variety of voices involved in the book and I honestly didn't notice loud inhaling. Heroine does a 180 degree change in beliefs, behavior, capability and self esteem which depending on your view may be good or bad. It made for some good thought questions and processing with my kids. Would be a fun family listen for cross country trip.

Reader inhales noisily

What did you like about this audiobook?

I didn't finish the book.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

I will make sure I won't buy another book with this reader.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Yes. I have read this book in the past, so obviously I was interested enough to listen to the audio version.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

The narrator Inhales loudly. constantly!
I did not go beyond the first 5 minutes of the book because the reader just totally inhales very loud. I skipped ahead to chapter 7 to see if she changed her performance and she was still making the noise.

Do you have any additional comments?

I am sorry I spent money on the book. I wont listen to it later either because of the narrators poor performance. I think I should get a refund!

Fabulous story narrated wonderfully!!!

Alexandra O'Karma did a fabulous job with this story. Having previously read the book, she portrayed Charlotte just as I had imagined her to be, not to mention the great job she did with all of the other characters. Now I am interested in both more stories by Avi and more performances by Alexandra O'Karma!!!

Great story!

Our family loves good read aloud books and this one was awesome. Our second book by Avi and we can't wait to start another!

Great story, weird voice

This is an excellent novel! My class thoroughly enjoyed the content, but endured the author's voice, which in all honesty was quite distracting.

Childhood favourite!

Any additional comments?

My mother used to take me and my siblings to the library every week to pick out an audio book to listen to before bed. I would check this exact audio book out every other week because I loved it so much!
Since the switch over from cassette tapes to CD's, they got rid of it at the library which devastated me as a child!
Recently I remembered how much I loved it growing up and was ecstatic to see it on Audible! This brings back so many happy memories! (Not to mention a fantastic story!)

Horrible performance; Great book

What disappointed you about The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle?

This book has so much excitement and intrigue, but the speaker is so awful! I would never reccomend listening to this book, read it - yes. But this is a preteen teen book, why the monotone expressionless voice???? So disappointing to my students.

What didn’t you like about Alexandra O’Karma’s performance?

Monotone, boring, & horrendous!!!! Where's the excitement that Avi wrote for this book?

Any additional comments?

Have a NEW voice done for this amazing book.

This book is outstanding

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action and the feeling of when your stomach goes up and down. Overall I just love this book!!!!

Great book

Very captivating story and one that could easily have happened. I listened to it when commuting and sometimes stayed longer in the car to find out what would happen next.

Brilliant Adventure book

I read this as a child and always meant to come back and re read it because I had enjoyed it so much. I wasn't disappointed! it was wonderful! perhaps a slightly more tame than I remembered but still a really brilliant adventure.
I always remember how thrilled I felt when I first read it, when Charlotte slices her hair off.... it was just as thrilling this time round too.
Definitely worth a read/listen, and definitely one to get for your kids, especially if you have girls (very empowering for little girls!) .