Excellent in every way.....

This is a great book and makes an almost perfect audio book. The writing is excellent - don't be put off by the length - and the story is compelling from start to finish. It charts the rise and fall of "Stone", from an obscure begining to his shocking, mysterious and abrupt end. Told from different perspectives the story never flags and is the best audio book I have ever listened to.

19 people found this helpful

Do not listen to Book One

I persevered through Book One and knowing its story possibly helps one enjoy and understand Books Two and Three. However, if you buy this audio book, I urge you to skip Book One altogether - or read it to your self from the written word. The narration is abysmal. The narrator appears to have read the words without understanding them. He places emphasis on the wrong words and in the wrong parts of sentences. I suspect that he did not practice but simply picked up the book and read. He is unable to provide any sense that the characters are real; so poor is his ability to act. He is utterly unconvincing, and I winced my way through his reading.

The story is, however, for all that, a decent one and worth the effort. Narrators Two and Three are excellent. Isis, the publishers, would be advised to re-narrate Book One altogether.

12 people found this helpful

Complex story ruined by poor narration!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

By re-recording the first section of this book using a narrator who understood what he was reading and when it was appropriate to pause!!

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Liked the ending!

Would you be willing to try another one of the narrators’s performances?

I purchased this audiobook on the basis of previous performances by the narrator of the second section of this book - a favourite of mine. Also enjoyed the performance of Narrator 3 who I had not listened to before. However the performance of Narrator 1 on this book can only be described as truly awful!!!

What character would you cut from Stone's Fall?

Disliked the character narrating Book 1 but this may have been due to the dreadful reading by the narrator of this section.

Any additional comments?

Re-record the first section of the book read by Narrator 1......the other narrators' professional handling of the text highlighted the deficiencies of the first narrator who didn't seem to have any understanding of what he was reading.

2 people found this helpful

A thriller about banking...!

The slightly dry, analytical prose that served 'Instance of the Fingerpost' so well, feels rather less organic here and there are several passages detailing the way banks operate that outstay their welcome, but Pears is such an artful plotter and his characters so vivid, that the book builds in tension and becomes progressively more enjoyable. The way each of the 3 sections folds in on itself did lead me to guess at least one of the 'surprises' but there is a certain satisfaction in that too. It's a cunning book, not an easy read, but well worth the effort.

2 people found this helpful

Slow to start, but worthwhile

I was recommended this by a friend.
I was wondering why at the beginning but for anyone with an interest in London, Venice, finance, historical fiction and love & relationships- yes, I recommend!

1 person found this helpful

Tedious with unsympathetic characters...

I LOVED Instance Of The Fingerpost and thought it one of the best thought out books I'd heard in years. This, by contrast, is just horrid. Unpleasant characters with no redeeming features, endless and unnecessary description and repetition with essentially no coherent story or plot just a load of selfish, self interested people who live awful, tedious lives.

The narrators do their best with
a weak, almost non existent, plot.

Seriously, don't bother.

1 person found this helpful

I cannot stand it any more!

I tried to stay with this as long as I could, thinking that it could only get better - it didn't.
The three narrators' ranges of accents are remarkable - even within a single sentence. A Hungarian/French countess with more than a hint of the valleys and an Italian doctor impersonating a Mexican bandit with Russian overtones!

The story became very tedious and ultimately failed to enthral or even hold my attention. I loved reading 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' many years ago and so had looked forward to hearing this book by Iain Pears but will not now risk trying another of his.

I do not aim to spend any more time on the book (being well into part three shows more than willing) or this review.

I will be asking for a refund.

1 person found this helpful

Worthwhile listen

Long enjoyment

1 person found this helpful

Excellent

Thoroughly enjoyable . I love long involved plots and he does it do well. I am looking forward to the next one

Brilliant!

Gripping, interesting and sofisticated. Beautifully performed. Iain Pears livens up the era of the beginning of the 20th century, through three interwinding narratives . The three personal perspectives gradually build up a profound understanding and the meaning of the fascinating chain of events . A colourful veriety of individuals are thrown together into a harsh social and economical reality . Each with a unique set of coping tools to survive it. The accumulated point of
of view that the reader attains lead to understanding of the complex human condition within the historical and political context.