An Amazing Tale

I am really happy audible released this book and hope they release all the sequels I think there are 6. This book is an amazing piece of literature. It brings the revolutionary war to life from an unorthodox point of view. A wealth of great historical events and characters is included and this is really a phenomenal book by a well seasoned author.

28 people found this helpful

A great Modern Classic

Got me hooked for the rest of the series: Just as good as the North and South trilogy. A great way to view the history of early America. John Jakes is a great story teller who creates memorable scenes and characters and Mark Vietor is a talented narrator with distinctive character accents.

Thank you Audible for this series...

23 people found this helpful

As good as I remembered!

I first read this book (and the complete series) back in the 70s when it was originally released. I enjoyed it then and again now.

15 people found this helpful

wonderful!

Where does The Bastard rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 10!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well the bastard himself of course! His struggles are so real, any young man would be confused and hurt is his shoes. He does not give up!

Have you listened to any of Marc Vietor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not. I like an audiobook where you can hear differences, making the people come to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many! Most of all when the Bastard finally realizes he is not alone!

15 people found this helpful

History of the United States

What made the experience of listening to The Bastard the most enjoyable?

In this 1st book you will learn about the Revolution War using the 1st Kent as a main charater. It is one thing to read history, but Jakes let you live it though the Kent family.

13 people found this helpful

Excellent historical tale

If you could sum up The Bastard in three words, what would they be?

Lucky little Bastard

What other book might you compare The Bastard to and why?

None that I have listen to so far.

Which character – as performed by Marc Vietor – was your favorite?

Philippe Charboneau

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

How to find your way in the world, when your father is a lord.

Any additional comments?

I listen to a lot of audio books and most are disappointing for one reason or another.This book however, really caught my interest and kept it all the way to the end.The young man is a natural born fighter, but spends his life worrying about money and wondering what to do with his life, the answer is staring him in the face and I think a lot of people are that way.I really think this is a book suited to men.It's not a romance novel, more blood and guts and historical intrigue than fluffy pillows.I can't wait for the next book and I hope the quality of the writing remains consistent.

10 people found this helpful

ARGH - historical ROMANCE novel

After listening to the 3 Civil War novels by John Jakes, I was astonished at this novel. It seemed like a female romance novelist was writing it and it was principally a bad romance novel. I still have over 9 hours to go, but will not finish.

Marie, Phillipe's mother, an immoral whack job. She tried to instill stupid life goals of material pursuit and snobbery. Premise unlikely - a man publicly acknowledging his illegitimate son and bequeathing him one half of his possessions. Not happening. He might have provided an annuity or provided for the son's education. Not a huge inheritance.

Marie's refusal of 2,000 pound payoff stupid, then she wound up sick and homeless in London. Stupid.

Women portrayed as loose or nasty or teases or stupid. Author preoccupation with women's breasts.

Philippe and Alicia Parkhurst's fling totally unrealistic. Alicia another man's fiancee and she would not have risked what she had and was going to have for a fling.

Information on primitive printing interesting.

Skipped last part of Chapter's 6, 7, most of 8, then skipped to Book 2 hoping it would get better.

With over 9 hours to go, I realized it was not going to.get better. Very disappointing.

5 people found this helpful

Still a good story.

What did you love best about The Bastard?

That it was available as "WhisperSync".

What did you like best about this story?

It did not dawdle at all . . . good pace, "page turner".

Have you listened to any of Marc Vietor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you could take any character from The Bastard out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Benjamin Franklin. I'd love to hear his opinions on what is happening with his country now.

4 people found this helpful

Searching for Freedom Without Fear

Phillipe Charboneau and his mother left France and came to England to secure an inheritance from the an English nobleman. Phillipe's mother had met the Duke while working as an actress. After giving birth to Phillipe, to prove that he was the son of the Duke, a letter was written and signed by the Duke of Kent, himself and a witness.

They met with resistance from the nobleman's family when Phillipe and his mother went and insisted on being seen. Phillipe had found work as a printer and when he and his mother had to flee to London he was able to find employment after spending time in the squalor of downtown London. He and his mother found lodging from his employer.

Phillipe was seen by the hired men of of the new Duke. He was being stalked by these men but was able to get back to his mother. He explained the situation to his mother but she was adamant that they stay and fight for Phillipe's inheritance. However, Phillipe knew that if they stayed, both of them would be killed.

Phillipe made arrangements with the help of friends and he and his mother boarded a ship for America. His mother was despondent while on the voyage and succumbed to illness. Phillipe continued on the journey to America.

He finally made it to America and placed his feet on the soil of Massachusetts. Benjamin Franklin had provided him with references to secure a printer's job but he had lost the list. Therefore, he was alone in America and had to secure a livelihood, using his own abilities to search out and find a printer who would hire him.

He secured a printer's job that printed newspapers encouraging Americans to fight to free themselves from the rule of England. John Adams was the leader of the colonists in Massachusetts who encouraged the peoples to take up arms and secure their freedom.

Phillipe had changed his name to Phillip Kent after encouragement from a friend. He suggested that the new Duke of Kent knew powerful men who would carry out his wishes to kill Phillip.

Phillip became involved with those men who wanted to fight for the freedom of America. When the American Revolution was sparked by other men of the thirteen colonies, Phillip would take up arms and fight along with his countrymen.

The novel was well written and the character's were well developed. The narrator, Mark Vietor, did an excellent job. His intonations of the different character's were well done.
The novel followed the plot from start to finish. Now that this novel has been finished I am ready to continue with the next novel of The Kent Family Chronicles.

18 people found this helpful

TOO CONTRIVED TO ENJOY

Many people have loved this book but I couldn't. I found the story line irritating in that it limped melodramatically from one contrived incident to the next. I could see each event coming from chapters away and gritted my teeth while the 'surprise' unfolded. I gave it up after persevering, skipping chapters and finally realizing that it wasn't going to get any better when the bad guy reappeared after a fight to the death: he wasn't really dead after all. Grrr.

3 people found this helpful