The time, 1943; the place, an Italian field hospital at the front; the characters, unforgettable as performed by Susie Berneis. She narrates this story of loss and healing with passion and poise. Juliet Dufresne, a 17-year-old American nurse, searches for her missing brother, Tucker, while treating patients wounded and traumatized by war. Dr. Henry Willard, a psychiatrist, studies those hurt and battle-fatigued, particularly Christopher Branaby (who served with Tucker) as he seeks to heal them. Berneis performs this complex story with inflected tones that match the emotions of each scene. Accents range from soft Southern vowels to hard New England cadences, each perfectly matched to the character. Berneis never misses a shift in action, drawing the listener inexorably into the story.
Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2014
Duration: 10 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781629234205
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An astonishingly unique historical novel, which begins in Trinidad in the 1940s, this is an example of the best that an audiobook can offer. The two narrators, Ron Butler and Bahni Turpin, are superb choices who move the listener smoothly between the two main characters. Farook and Marcia Garcia are star-crossed lovers who don’t have fate on their side. Turpin evokes the rhythms of English as spoken in Trinidad, lyrical, and rhythmic. Through her confident narrative style, Marica Garcia comes across as a strong, beleaguered young woman. Her trials evoke empathy in the listener. Butler establishes the contorted choices that face Farook as an Indian man who is prevented by racism from marrying his true love. This sprawling tale spans Trinidad and the United States, from the 1940s-1960s.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2015
Duration: 13 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In this stand-alone novel set during the Hundred Years' War, Thomas of Hookton, hero of Cornwell's Grail Quest trilogy, returns with his band of mercenaries in pursuit of the sword of Saint Peter—a holy relic said to bestow great power. Naturally, others are also in pursuit and are determined to win the sword at any cost. Jack Hawkins delivers a stunning performance of this dramatic novel of political intrigue and military battle. Throughout, he effortlessly distinguishes characters from all over Western Europe through various accents. Hawkins's thoughtful reading reveals the emotions of the characters, enhancing their portrayals. His performance is full of energy during Cornwell's signature battle scenes, offering the listener a visceral experience of war.
Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2013
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062209344
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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