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Border Songs Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,131 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Acclaimed author Jim Lynch sets Border Songs along a 30-mile strip of Washington state and British Columbia. When severely dyslexic Brandon Vanderkool is forced to join the Border Patrol, he learns the border is a haven for illegal drug smugglers and other criminals. Meanwhile, disease has struck his father's herd, and his mother is battling something even more debilitating. Each will have to fight for hope in a world changing too fast.
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"I truly loved this book since I bicycle in the area that Jim Lynch described in Lynden and near the Canadian border. I felt I was in the book. It provided some interesting insights into the controversy of border patrol, leading to questions of how far is too far should the government should go to protect its people. Do we want "Big Brother" to be watching all of us so we are protected from terrorists and drug dealers? The timing is great to read this book considering what is occurring at the airports. I look forward to the discussion. The main character reminded me Forest Gump. He was quirky with his passion for birds, and despite his strangeness he was an effective border patrol. I think all the characters were interesting and very unique."
— Rlmteacher (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Has the kind of ambling, provincial whimsy found in Richard Russo’s small-town tales and the hard-bitten optimism that colors Larry McMurtry’s…A gifted and original novelist.”
— New York Times -
“Lynch portrays Brandon with such tenderness and humor that you can’t help but fall in love with him…A moving, optimistic rebuttal of our paranoia.”
— Washington Post -
“Lynch digs into the strange culture of a US-Canada border town in his lush second novel…Lynch’s depiction of the natural world and his deep sympathy for his characters carry the book…majestic.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Another engaging, even heartwarming, encounter with the quirky individualists populating the nation’s upper-left-hand corner…Every character in Lynch’s tale is memorable, each etched with distinctive lines and endearing idiosyncrasies.”
— Booklist -
“This might sound like an offbeat, aw-shucks comedy or a setup for social tragedy, but, remarkably, Lynch does something different. Playing on our current fears, he shows us that the divides among people aren’t good, then offers a tenderly convincing ending that’s not sentimental.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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An Amazon Best Book of the Month of June 2009
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Selected for the July 2009 Indie Next List
Border Songs Listener Reviews
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" I enjoyed this book, in part because it is set in an area of the Northwest that I am familiar with - my auntie lives in Bellingham and I've been across the border quite a few times because my grandmother lived in Vancouver, BC. Parts of this story made me laugh out loud. "
— Bemilly, 2/20/2014 -
" The character of Brandon in "Border Songs" is a marvelous example of what Jim Lynch does best. This is a character written from the soul of one who understands and can communicate the shimmering mind and heart of someone who has special perceptions. Brandon shines through the complex plot and intricate character relationships to make this a truly wonderful and thoughtful novel. -- Karen F. "
— Northshire, 2/17/2014 -
" What a wacky, fun, sad, poignant, touching surprise of a book! "
— Meghan, 2/15/2014 -
" I've been watching a Canadian series called "Intelligence," which is a tangled story of cops and drug smugglers. Without any intent on my part (other than to read another book by the incomparable Jim Lynch), I have now read a book about the border patrol in the area where "Intelligence" is set. Both are well worth the time. "
— Letha, 2/13/2014 -
" A refreshing and enjoyable book! "
— Pj, 1/26/2014 -
" As a Washington resident I found this book very interesting. It gave me a new perspective on living so close to our "other" border. Definitely a very good read. "
— Gabby, 1/18/2014 -
" Very interesting characters, but I liked Lynch's The Highest Tide way more. I think it got bogged down a bit with descriptions. "
— Wanda, 1/18/2014 -
" Call me a Jim Lynch fan. I eagerly await his next offering and will buy it immediately. He's such a good read, funny and full of wisdom about the nature of we humans, and our foibles, and our dreams. "
— Mitch, 1/18/2014 -
" surprising and good - bird references were novel to med and much appreciated. Main character was refreshingly different, all characters were interesting and believable with a drug running backdrop that kept the story moving. "
— Alec, 12/23/2013 -
" I just found this book today in my news letter for Powell's Books. This is the same author of The Highest Tide. Can't wait to read it! "
— Carmen, 12/11/2013 -
" Charming. Fabulous characters and quirky plot. "
— Kate, 12/9/2013 -
" Did not like this book nearly as much as The Highest Tide, but really enjoyed reading a story set in Whatcom County, Washington. "
— Dawn, 10/5/2013 -
" A sleepy area along the Canadian-U.S. border is disrupted by the drug trade that involves even local farmers and citizens who had been leading quiet lives. "
— Valerie, 5/30/2013 -
" Enjoyed the overall quirkiness of the book in an area very familiar. The mixture of nature (human and natural), art, and law enforcement kept me enthralled. "
— Babs, 5/13/2013 -
" While I enjoyed this story, be forewarned that not every person will like it. "
— Laura, 4/2/2013 -
" I can't wait for this book to come out. Absolutely loved it. Great sense of place, characters, nature vs nurture. One of those books I rushed home each night to read. "
— Brian, 1/1/2013 -
" I loved how Brandon's peculiarities put him in the right place at the right time...or wrong, depending on which side of the law you were on. "
— Robyn, 9/15/2012 -
" wild eccentric characters, in a familiar setting. really enjoyed this book "
— Debra, 8/14/2012 -
" Story of a border patrol agent in Blaine Washington that was interesting but too busy and a bit hard for me to follow. "
— Nonie, 6/14/2012 -
" interesting b/c i live in the area... "
— Al, 6/8/2012 -
" A wonderful crazy book and I enjoyed every minute-even at 4 in the morning. "
— Ellen, 5/31/2012 -
" Great characterizations, and the descriptions of northern Washington State were spot on. This book was a lot of fun to read. "
— Maria, 12/6/2011 -
" So enjoyed this book and its protagonist. "
— Zoe, 12/4/2011 -
" definitely not as good as 'the highest tide' but still a good story - just took me 30 or so pages to get involved... "
— Kristi, 11/24/2011 -
" Set in and around Blaine, WA and starring Brandon - an ungainly, dyslexic dairyman's son who becomes an uncannily successful Border Patrol Officer. Quite unique. "
— Chrissy, 10/10/2011 -
" A well written book with a cast of interesting characters. The story never really hangs together. Features another "innocent" character like Lynch's first book. "
— Matt, 5/7/2011 -
" Book club book again, REALLY liked it, loved the bird-stuff, and the semi autisim characteristics of the protagonists.....Since I live in the NW, enjoyed to local-info. Thought it was well written.....would enjoy feedback....from my friends..... "
— Emily, 4/27/2011 -
" We all crave intimacy, so please understand me:<br/>Great is book this. "
— Gary, 4/4/2011 -
" Call me a Jim Lynch fan. I eagerly await his next offering and will buy it immediately. He's such a good read, funny and full of wisdom about the nature of we humans, and our foibles, and our dreams. "
— M, 3/9/2011 -
" I thought this book had a promising premise - quirky characters in a rural setting with some interesting political aspects. The execution isn't bad, as there are some funny scenes and it kept me intrigued. What irked me was just how over the top weird it was. The coincidences went too far. "
— Jeff, 2/19/2011 -
" I loved this book, one of the best I read in 2010 "
— Mary, 2/9/2011 -
" It really is an interesting story. I liked the character development in this book. This was a book club read and the first Jim Lynch novel that I have read. "
— Laurel, 1/29/2011
About Jim Lynch
Jim Lynch has received the H.
L. Mencken Award and a Livingston Award for Young Journalists, among other
honors. His novel Border Songs won
the Washington State Book Award and is being adapted for television.
About Richard Poe
Richard Poe, a professional actor for more than thirty years, has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including 1776 and M. Butterfly. On television he has had recurring roles on Star Trek and Frasier. His films include Born on the Fourth of July and Presumed Innocent. Poe is a well-known and prolific audiobook performer and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards.