Wake of the Perdido Star

By: Gene Hackman, Daniel Lenihan

Narrated by: James Daniels

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jack O' Reilly is a 17-year-old New Englander who in 1805, sails with his parents on the Perdido Star to Cuba, his mother's birthplace, to claim the land she inherited. But for Jack, the trip that began with high hopes and the excitement of a new life, becomes a descent into violence and revenge. His parents murdered, their land confiscated, his own life nearly taken, Jack is forced to rejoin the Star as a member of the crew, sailing through the world's most treacherous waters under a drink-crazed captain.

His soul seared and his heart calloused, his obsession to get back to the killer of his parents dominates his life. And so the boy Jackson O'Reilly becomes the pirate "Black Jack", the relentless scourge of any who stand in his path to retribution, until a daring rescue of two of his mates teaches him that there are other emotions then anger, other feelings then hatred and mistrust.

©2008 Gene Hackman and Daniel Lenihan (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Bravo

A great adventure story. I don't know why Audible doesn't have an adventure category. That is my favorite genre and this book falls in there easily. I imagine Errol Flynn playing Blackjack, but I am old and most of the readers will not know his pictures. It is a page turner that I almost missed because for some reason I could not get the sound bite for the book to work. I never have downloaded a book without checking out the narrator until this one. Not to worry though, as the narrator does a very fine job and is easy to listen to. I finally let my curiosity over how Gene Hackman would do as an author override my doubts. If you like adventure and action books don't pass on this one.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish.

I was really impressed with the character development the story twist and the overall excellent backdrop of the early 1800s.

A great adventure tale.

This is a great story that feels familiar enough to get right into but with enough originality to keep you in the story. I only wish there was a sequel, this feels like it should be the first part of a series. Even though the main plot line is resolved at the end, the characters and writing style are so appealing you want more.

Great Book

Loved it! I laughed I gasped and smiled a lot. I look forward to telling others about this book.

High adventure on the sea.

Rollicking seafaring adventure, reminiscent of tales of Captain Hornblower and Anthony Adverse. There are other fine tales of the sea and I believe I must find more and make a list.

beautifully done

I liked it and would love another! I was reluctant because I was worried a famous person was useing their name to get to write a book but my worries did not come true for it was a very good to great book!

great book thanks

it was a great adventure. a little different than I'm used to. but what fun

Fun read

Great book with not too complicated of a storyline! Actually fun to read the book.

Unexpected

My husband and I listened to this on Road trip and I was pleasantly surprised, I really enjoyed it as did he.. We laughed and wondered what was next...some was predictable but surprises ad well. I'd listen to it again in a year or so!

Excellent!!!!!

I’ve enjoyed all the movies Gene Hackman made in his career and when I saw this book, I have to admit, I got a little excited.
Any man who has told excellent stories his entire life in movies, his book should be good…
It was actually one of the best stories I’ve read in a very long time.
If you like a really good story, that’s written perfectly, don’t hesitate to read this book, or listen to it in audio format… You won’t be disappointed…

Adventure in the true sense

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It's a really good listen. I became engrossed in the story and continually wanted to know more. It gives you a real sense of how it might have been to live in the early 19th century.

What other book might you compare Wake of the Perdido Star to, and why?

I don't really have anything I can compare this story to, but I will be looking for further period books that might compare.

Have you listened to any of James Daniels’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is my first time with James Daniels as the narrator and I certainly will look for other books he has done.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I had great difficulty putting it down. If I had the time I would have listened all in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I nearly overlooked this altogether as I am very wary of famous people turning to writing books. I was impressed.
I only have time to listen to small bites at a time, but the anticipation for the next listen was almost overwhelming.