Play Audiobook Sample
A Fine and Private Place Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.01) - 1,795 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
This classic ghost story from the author of The Last Unicorn follows Jonathan who’s been living in a cemetery with a raven as his only friend amongst the newly dead until he discovers a pair of ghostly lovers bearing an extraordinary gift—the final chance for his own happiness.
For nineteen years, Jonathan Rebeck has hidden from the world within the confines of a Bronx’s cemetery, making an abandoned mausoleum his secret home. He speaks with the newly dead as they pass from life to wherever spirits finally go, providing them with comfort, an understanding ear, and even the occasional game of chess.
But Mr. Rebeck’s reclusive life is disrupted. An impossible love has blossomed between two ghosts at Yorkchester Cemetery. Helped along by a cynical, talking raven and a mysterious security guard, these four souls must learn the true difference between life and death and make choices that really are forever.
Told with an elegiac wisdom and beauty, Peter S. Beagle’s first novel is, “One of literature’s most beautiful works about ghostly times and places...told with wit, charm, and a sense of individuality” (The New York Times Book Review).
Download and start listening now!
"Ok, so this book was enjoyable, but I was about to give it a 3 star review. It's a very mellow book, but it does have it's moments and some great quotes. Then I hit chapter 10 and wow. This is a romantic's dream. I almost wanted to weep for the words that Beagle displayed on these pages. I wanted a pen so I could underline each single word in bold lines. I wanted to savor each and every word and I wanted to believe in love again. A love that can being life back to the dead and inspire the living to live! Wow. I am so glad I stuck with this book."
— Connie (5 out of 5 stars)
A Fine and Private Place Listener Reviews
-
" This is an astounding book even before you learn that it was written before Peter was 20. "
— Rob, 2/20/2014 -
" Dead people in love, a talking crow and a man who hides from his past by living in a cemetery - what could be better? It's funny, it's sad, it's bittersweet! "
— Maryann, 2/5/2014 -
" This novel of "love and last chances" will remind readers a bit of the more recent Neil Gaiman book GRAVEYARD BOOK. There's true emotion here that anchors the fantasy and makes it real. "
— Katherine, 1/16/2014 -
" Wow, this was a slow book that never really picked up steam for me at all. I suppose it would have been poignant if I'd been able to find even one character to like, but I didn't find them likable at all. Good thing it didn't take me too long to read. A snore. "
— Alison, 1/2/2014 -
" A strange book, worth a read if you liked The Last Unicorn. "
— Lauren, 1/2/2014 -
" I liked it well enough - it was something different from anything else I've read. It was a little slow-paced for my liking, with an abrupt conclusion, but it suited it. If I gave it another read I'd probably digest it a little better the second time around. "
— Shell, 12/31/2013 -
" I read this when I was about the age of Peter S. Beagle when he wrote it, and I adored it. I have very good, if vague, memories of this book. I have this horrible suspicion my nostalgia might be violated if I opened the book again. "
— Floundering, 12/20/2013 -
" This is my favorite book and has been most of my life "
— Lark, 12/20/2013 -
" I have enjoyed this book many times, it's humorous and bittersweet. "
— Micha, 12/19/2013 -
" I love Peter S. Beagle and this had some fantastic writing and an interesting premise, (in the same vein setting wise as Gaiman's GRAVEYARD BOOK) but the pacing was too slow. THE LAST UNICORN is a more engaging read. "
— D, 12/12/2013 -
" My first Beagle book, with a very simple but well-written tale. No frills, only substance. "
— Hans, 11/29/2013 -
" Not as good as I've expected it to be. But good nonetheless. "
— Jezier, 9/3/2013 -
" I usually love Peter S. Beagle, but this one was not my cup of tea. "
— Alicia, 5/9/2013 -
" Allegorical light fantasy about the afterlife. Tries too hard to be insightful sometimes and just drags instead. "
— Scott, 1/27/2013 -
" This was amazing. I can't even begin to say how jealous I am that Peter S. Beagle wrote this when he was 19! I kind of hate him, just a little, for that. How did he get such insight into life and death at that age? And the beautiful, lyrical language. I just loved this book. "
— Rebecca, 10/25/2012 -
" Absolutely beautiful book. I've never quite looked at a cemetery the same way since. :-) "
— Stephanie, 8/5/2012 -
" Not Beagle's best, but a very impressive first novel considering the author was only 19 when he wrote it! "
— Catherine, 2/28/2012 -
" I muddled through this book and while there is some lovely language in the book overall I was a bit bored through the story. I didn't fell any of ther characters became anything more than two-dimensional, I didn't really care about any of them. "
— Angela, 9/11/2011 -
" I thought this was a beautifully crafted philosophical novel. It gave me a little nudge in the direction of life. "
— Matthew, 9/6/2011 -
" one of my very favorite books..i have fond memories of the high school teacher who taught this book. i think i shall suggest it for next book group... "
— Shari, 6/22/2011 -
" Absolutely beautiful book. I've never quite looked at a cemetery the same way since. :-) "
— Stephanie, 5/12/2011 -
" I muddled through this book and while there is some lovely language in the book overall I was a bit bored through the story. I didn't fell any of ther characters became anything more than two-dimensional, I didn't really care about any of them. "
— Angela, 4/16/2011 -
" A strange book, worth a read if you liked The Last Unicorn. "
— Lauren, 3/24/2011 -
" Not as good as I've expected it to be. But good nonetheless. "
— Jezier, 3/8/2011 -
" I liked it well enough - it was something different from anything else I've read. It was a little slow-paced for my liking, with an abrupt conclusion, but it suited it. If I gave it another read I'd probably digest it a little better the second time around. "
— Shell, 3/8/2011 -
" You can tell Gaiman read this before he wrote his Graveyard Book. It's pretty good, but I found some of the characters a little whiney. Well worth the read though. "
— Matt, 2/9/2011 -
" Great book. Not one that would be a favorite by genre, but Beagle is a good writer. "
— Matthew, 1/18/2011 -
" I usually love Peter S. Beagle, but this one was not my cup of tea. "
— Alicia, 1/11/2011 -
" A bizarre, at times humorous story about a man who lives among the dead. Not a page turner by any means. Should be read slowly and pondered as it concerns such deep things as the meaning of life, death and love. Simple, yet elegant prose. I will be reading this one again some time before I die. "
— Valerie, 11/12/2010 -
" Not much of a plot, just the relationships of a homeless man living in the cemetery, a couple of ghosts that won't let go of life and a lonely widow visiting her husband's grave. It all adds up to some musings on death, life, love and being human. "
— Eric, 10/9/2010
About Peter S. Beagle
Peter S. Beagle has won the Hugo, Nebula, Mythopoeic, and Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire awards. He is also the recipient of the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Honor. His novel The Last Unicorn has sold a reported five million copies since its initial publication. His other novels include A Fine & Private Place, The Innkeeper’s Song, Tamsin, Summerlong, and In Calabria. His short fiction has been collected in four volumes by Tachyon Publications, including The Rhinoceros Who Quoted Nietzsche, The Line Between, We Never Talk About My Brother, and Sleight of Hand.