Wake of the Perdido Star

By: Gene Hackman, Daniel Lenihan

Narrated by: James Daniels

Length: 10 hrs and 26 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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

A High Seas Adventure

What made the experience of listening to Wake of the Perdido Star the most enjoyable?

I bought the hard cover edition of this book because I am a Gene Hackman fan and love a good nautical tale. I loved this book and decided to try and find it on audio CD. My two choices were cassette or Audible. This one book lead me to my Audible addiction.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the adventure of this story. It must have played to my inner child. I was a fan of Moby Dick and Treasure Island when I was growing up. This story has elements of both. Maybe it was my love of pirate movies when I was a kid. Alas, 13 years later, I guess there will not be a sequel.

What about James Daniels???s performance did you like?

James's voice adds great dimension to the voices of the main characters and the ships crew. From pirate speak of the crew to Jack's Cuban mother, I forgot I was listening to one voice.

Who was the most memorable character of Wake of the Perdido Star and why?

Jack, the protagonist was the most memorable character. Jack starts of as a angry young man bent on revenge and matures into the hero.

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!

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.