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Black Hills: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,022 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
When Paha Sapa, a young Sioux warrior, "counts coup" on General George Armstrong Custer as Custer lies dying on the battlefield at the Little Bighorn, the legendary general's ghost enters him - and his voice will speak to him for the rest of his event-filled life.
Seamlessly weaving together the stories of Paha Sapa, Custer, and the American West, Dan Simmons depicts a tumultuous time in the history of both Native and white Americans. Haunted by Custer's ghost, and also by his ability to see into the memories and futures of legendary men like Sioux war-chief Crazy Horse, Paha Sapa's long life is driven by a dramatic vision he experienced as a boy in his people's sacred Black Hills. In August of 1936, a dynamite worker on the massive Mount Rushmore project, Paha Sapa plans to silence his ghost forever and reclaim his people's legacy-on the very day FDR comes to Mount Rushmore to dedicate the face.
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"This is the most suprising and exceptional book I have read in a long, long time. Categorized as horror, this book could as easily have been placed in historical fiction or even science fiction. The book is about a young Lakota man posessed by the spirit of the infamous General Custer, this history of Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills and her native people, the shady truth about the sort of person Custer was, forgiveness and personal growth, and our treatment of our planet. I read this fantastically well-researched book and immediately re-read it, something I have never done before. Highly recommended."
— Stephanie (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Simmons keeps the tale buoyant with his evocative prose and storytelling muscle.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
“Simmons…displays the impressive breadth of his imagination in this historical novel with a supernatural slant…In his ability to create complex character and pair them with suspenseful situations, Simmons stands almost unmatched among his contemporaries.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“America is defined by its ghosts. The displacement and slaughter of the Native American population is a guilt that’s been justified, rationalized, lamented, and debated, until now the trick isn’t so much finding the right response as it is finding a response that hasn’t already been beaten into the ground. In his new book Black Hills, Dan Simmons does a solid job of facing this problem by trying to make the sins of the past as personal as possible…It’s strong writing and research from Simmons, in a narrative that spans one of the most important times in American history.”
— AV Club -
“Erik Davies performs the story’s narrative passages and the voice of Paha Sapa, and Michael McConnohie takes on Custer’s words. Davies concentrates on the many Lakota words, reading them slowly and carefully to ensure perfection. He gives the same gravity to Paha Sapa’s English speech. McConnohie’s Custer barrels through the general’s lusty recollections at a more natural pace. Vivid descriptions of Black Hills events and the Chicago World’s Fair round out this piece of historical fiction.”
— AudioFile
Black Hills Listener Reviews
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" A excellent read. Mayhap if I was more literate about US history, the book might have hit harder. "
— axe, 2/19/2014 -
" I've read this one twice... and could read it a third time. "
— Judi, 1/20/2014 -
" Interesting...a little wordy, but good. "
— Jay, 12/29/2013 -
" This book def made me want to visit out West and gave me an appreciation for the Native American culture, but it was a hard book to get into but worth sticking with it. "
— Beth, 12/24/2013 -
" It is taking me forever to finish this book. It just isn't keeping my attention. "
— Susie, 12/23/2013 -
" What a disappointment. Hard to believe this is by the same author who wrote Hyperion - a brilliant SF book. "
— Sue, 11/27/2013 -
" Simmons has reduced, effectively, from his recent 'war-and-peace' length works (Drood, The Terror). It's a beautiful novel, almost a great-american-novel contender, blends some classical themes and moves from dystopia to utopia-image with a compelling image of what could be for America. "
— Nick, 11/10/2013 -
" Thanks for the recommendation, Phil. I was completely taken in by this story (most of it fact/true) and learned tons about important people, important times, and important places. "
— Kathy, 8/28/2013 -
" very interesting start. about a young indian boy who counts coup with custer and custers spirit enters the young boy. switching back from 1876 and 1934 during the blasting of mount rushmore. did not finish this book it got so wordy i got bored with it???? "
— leigh, 5/26/2013 -
" I liked it but not near as good as summer of night, a winter haunting, or the terror. But I do love Dan Simmons. Flashback was amazing. I recommend it. "
— Amy, 4/28/2013 -
" Great perspective from a lakota indian during 1870-1930 , starting with the destruction of his tribe by Custer to the building of mt. rushmore. Alot of history was accurate. "
— Ann, 12/25/2012 -
" OK - for some reason i had to force myself to get through the end of this one, but great read, chock full of TONS of Lakota lore & early American situations. "
— Greg, 8/31/2012 -
" Only two stars in relation to his other work. This may be the "worst" Simmons book I've ever read, entertaining enough, but his research is too obvious and ham-fisted in it's "fictional" recreation. Read Devil in the White City or Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee instead.... "
— Matt, 6/14/2012 -
" Got lost a few times, but, figured it out. An informative piece of historical fiction. "
— Sherra, 3/16/2012 -
" I've decided books on tape serve a purpose they help me fall asleep and keep me company while I tool around on the computer. I liked this story, it was crazy without being too nuts. "
— Jami, 3/1/2012 -
" Three stars because I know Dan Simmons can do better. "
— Kristine, 1/1/2012 -
" I may have liked this even better as an audiobook than I would have as a normal book, given all the Lakota that's spoken throughout. "
— Scott, 5/21/2011 -
" Great story telling. enjoy a story that does not stay chronological but sill works. Mr. Simmons goes from 1876 to 1936 and back again without losing a beat or confusing the reader as to where we are in the tale. "
— Bobby, 5/12/2011 -
" very depressing and long winded. Couldn't finish the last chapter.. "
— Bartee, 5/10/2011 -
" This is one of my favorite Dan Simmons book. Love getting some history with my fiction! Really enjoyed author's enlightening take on the Whites-versus-American-Indians. "
— Debra, 2/19/2011 -
" This is the 5th Dan Simmons book I have read in 3 years and it solidified what I already knew which he has become my favorite author out there. No one writes historical fiction like this man. Check this book out or any of his books, especially Carrion Comfort. "
— Drew, 1/21/2011
About Dan Simmons
Dan Simmons, the author of critically acclaimed suspense and science fiction novels, is a recipient of numerous major international awards, including the Hugo Award, World Fantasy Award, Bram Stoker Award, and the Shirley Jackson Award, among others.
About the Narrators
Erik Davies is an accomplished audiobook narrator and voice-over actor. His stage credits include G.R. Point, Unpublished Letters, and Flats Fixed. Some of his television and film appearances include ER, Third Watch, and a starring role in the hit indie comedy High Society: A Pot Boiler. His audiobook narration has won three AudioFile Earphones Awards.
Michael McConnohie has appeared in soap operas, cartoons, prime-time television, and on stage. His audiobook readings have ranged from true crime to history, biography, science, self-help, and poetry. He has seen much of the world as a supervisor of foreign versions of major American films and has written and directed English versions of many prominent foreign films. He believes that a good book is a friend you can visit over and over again and always enjoy the conversation.