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A Far Country (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.01) - 478 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
From the best-selling author of The Piano Tuner, a stunning new audio about a young girl’s journey through a vast, unnamed country in search of her brother. Raised in a remote village on the edge of a sugarcane plantation, fourteen-year-old Isabel was born with the gift and curse of “seeing farther.” When drought and war grip the backlands, her brother Isaias joins a great exodus to a teeming city in the south. Soon Isabel must follow, forsaking the only home she’s ever known, her sole consolation the thought of being with her brother again. But when she arrives, she discovers that Isaias has disappeared. Weeks and then months pass, until one day, armed only with her unshakable hope, she descends into the chaos of the city to find him. Told with astonishing empathy, and strikingly visual, the story of Isabel’s quest–her dignity and determination, her deeply spiritual world–is a universal tale about the bonds of family and a sister’s love for her brother, about journeys and longing, survival and true heroism.
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"This is the story of a young South American girl, born into abject poverty, who sets out alone to find her missing brother in the slums of a large city (Rio?). Excellent depiction of the culture and people of urban Latin America. Good "coming of age" story also."
— Ron (4 out of 5 stars)
A Far Country Listener Reviews
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" A sad, strange little book about terribly poor people in Central America. Depressing even with a tortured happy ending. "
— Glen, 2/14/2014 -
" A sad and claustrophobic tale about love and hope but be warned it is a little depressing "
— Roberto, 2/8/2014 -
" Daniel Mason is the most talented young writer of our time. "
— Matthew, 2/1/2014 -
" I very, very rarely don't finish a book. I got about halve way and just gave up. The writing style wasn't bad, but the story wasn't that interested, slow paced, and dark. "
— Amrit, 1/25/2014 -
" It held a pale light to The Piano Tuner, but was fascinating (if depressing) in its own right. "
— Bethany, 1/20/2014 -
" This started out so wonderfully magical and fairytale-like. And then it wasn't wonderful and fairytale-like anymore. :( "
— Katie, 1/9/2014 -
" Sad and hopeful at the same time. "
— Tammy, 10/13/2013 -
" I read the Piano Tuner by the same author and found it quite good. This also has its merits and I think I'll read it again sometime. "
— Robert, 9/16/2013 -
" I loved parts of this, but overall it is a very depressing book without much plot or character growth. I listened to it on audio, and was mesmerized by the reader. If I'd actually been reading the book, I probably would have quit after the first few chapters. "
— Catherine, 8/29/2013 -
" A melancholy tale whose story is all too familiar through out the world. "
— Tiah, 2/7/2013 -
" the story stayed with me after i read it - the book is about a young girl and her difficult life in a poor country (not sure which one). her development throughout the story is fascinating, and also the portrayal of magic/knowledge. somewhat disturbing, but a good book i think. "
— Gina, 11/18/2012 -
" Elegantly written, dreamlike style. "
— Dee, 5/13/2012 -
" Set in an unidentified country. It explores the challenges of emigrating from the country to the city without resources. It's eery, puzzling and fascinating. It really establishes a mood and maintains a tension that I found magnetic. "
— Judy, 3/15/2012 -
" This book reminded me of life in Paraguay. I listened to this while as a police officer. I got it based off its cover. "
— Kimball, 8/10/2011 -
" Good true story of adventure, murder and reindeer herding in Alaska. "
— Abhuston, 6/2/2011 -
" Different - not an easy read, at least for me. "
— Lisa, 5/29/2011 -
" Enjoyed this book after quite average reviews. About a girl living from the backlands into the city in search of her brother. I enjoyed it and my only complaint was that that the ending wasn't as strong as I had hoped for. "
— Deb, 5/20/2011 -
" I wish there was a little bit more of a coherent plot with an ending that wasn't so anticlimactic, but the writing was absolutely beautiful. "
— Stephanie, 5/3/2011 -
" Daniel Mason is the most talented young writer of our time. "
— Matthew, 3/23/2011 -
" It held a pale light to The Piano Tuner, but was fascinating (if depressing) in its own right. "
— Bethany, 3/13/2011 -
" This seems to be my week to read about poverty. This man captures life from a girl's viewpoint better than most men. The personal female aspects he is unable to visualize apparently, but the story is rich and real. "
— Pat, 7/18/2010 -
" I very, very rarely don't finish a book. I got about halve way and just gave up. The writing style wasn't bad, but the story wasn't that interested, slow paced, and dark. "
— Amrit, 6/21/2010 -
" Another beautifully written novel by Daniel Mason, though I admit I did like The Piano Tuner just a tad bit more. "
— Mary, 5/6/2010 -
" Not the knockout that was The Piano Tuner, but Mason still tells a tantalizing tale. His hide-the-ball style kept me guessing to the very last page. "
— Joe, 5/1/2010 -
" Couldn't get thru this one. Sad, slow....just didn't catch me. "
— Madrona310, 3/27/2010 -
" I liked his book Piano Tuner much more. This was dry and depressing. Still well written though. "
— Meghan, 1/14/2010 -
" A melancholy tale whose story is all too familiar through out the world. "
— Tiah, 12/8/2009
About Daniel Mason
Daniel Mason is a physician and the author of several novel, which have been translated into twenty-eight languages and adapted for opera and theater. He was named the 2020 winner of the Joyce Carol Oates Prize. He is a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, where he teaches courses in the humanities and medicine.
About Anne Twomey
Anne Twomey is an accomplished actress of both stage and screen. Her Broadway credits include Orpheus Descending with Vanessa Redgrave, To Grandmother’s House We Go, and Nuts, for which she received a Tony nomination and a Theatre World Award. Her many television appearances include guest roles on Seinfeld, Law & Order: SVU, Spin City, and the Christopher Reeves’ movie-of-the-week Rear Window. She has also appeared in the films Picture Perfect and Orpheus Descending. Her audiobook narrations have won her five AudioFile Earphones Awards.