This sweeping historical novel set in fourteenth-century Catalonia recounts the story of Arnau Estanyol, a laborer who unwittingly becomes embroiled in social upheaval in Barcelona. Narrator Paul Michael uses a range of vaguely European-sounding accents to portray the story's nobles and peasants. His smooth pronunciation of Spanish and French names surely renders the audiobook less cumbersome than the written tome. Michael's clear, masculine voice is well suited to the extensive narrative passages describing life in medieval Barcelona: war, plague, the supremacy of the aristocracy, and the Spanish Inquisition. The tale of Arnau's lifelong search for happiness was a bestseller in Spain for more than a year. This translation is a gem, employing elegantly simple language to portray a significant era.
Pub Date: May 1, 2008
Duration: 23 hrs
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
C.J. Box writes about life in wild Wyoming, short stories of people living a rugged life by choice or by circumstance. David Chandler narrates in a rough-edged whiskey voice that suggests summer heat, bitter winters, and windswept prairies, guiding the listener through 10 adventures of men like Fish and Game Officer Joe Pickett. Chandler brings the listener into this strange world where, more often than not, men have to create their own justice. His performance of the economical stories, some rarely seen, is perfect. The tale of the frozen body of a Native American basketball player turned speed freak, her arm reaching through the ice of a lake in a final jump shot, is one of the most fascinating in the collection.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470392796
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dirk Pitt, intrepid adventurer and master explorer, searches the Sahara for the deadly toxin that is killing marine life world wide. This audio, abridged by Harold Schmidt, lacks most of the adventure, as well as the humor, of Cussler's novels. Narrator Tom Wopat brings an unconventional vocal slant to the ever-cocky Pitt. Using lots of vocal characterization, Wopat brings across the smug brashness of Pitt and handles dialogue briskly. Enhanced by sound effects and small pieces of music, this is an interesting and perplexing mystery.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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