Brothers Audiobook, by Da Chen Play Audiobook Sample

Brothers Audiobook

Brothers Audiobook, by Da Chen Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Various , Roy Dotrice, Roy Dotrice Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 10.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 7.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: September 2006 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781415933909

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

210

Longest Chapter Length:

09:30 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

13 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

04:17 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Other Audiobooks Written by Da Chen: > View All...

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Publisher Description

At the height of China’s Cultural Revolution a powerful general fathered two sons. Tan was born to the general’s wife and into a life of comfort and luxury. His half brother, Shento, was born to the general’s mistress, who threw herself off a cliff in the mountains of Balan only moments after delivering her child. Growing up, each remained ignorant of the other’s existence. In Beijing, Tan enjoyed the best schools, the finest clothes, and the prettiest girls. Shento was raised on the mountainside by an old healer and his wife until their deaths landed him in an orphanage, where he was always hungry, alone, and frightened. Though on divergent roads, each brother is driven by a passionate desire—one to glorify his father, the other to seek revenge against him. Separated by distance and opportunity, Tan and Shento follow the paths that lie before them, while unknowingly falling in love with the same woman and moving toward the explosive moment when their fates finally merge. Brothers, by bestselling memoirist Da Chen, is a sprawling, dynamic family saga, complete with assassinations, love affairs, narrowly missed opportunities, and the ineluctable fulfillment of destiny.

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"I got this book from the library because I enjoyed so much his memoir "Colors of the Mountain." This was fiction, but the voice was the same. The plot of this novel was a little over the top - sort of fairy tale set in recent Chinese history. But the characters were very likeable and interesting and I didn't want to put it down."

— Nancy (4 out of 5 stars)

Brothers Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.16216216216216 out of 53.16216216216216 out of 53.16216216216216 out of 53.16216216216216 out of 53.16216216216216 out of 5 (3.16)
5 Stars: 3
4 Stars: 12
3 Stars: 14
2 Stars: 4
1 Stars: 4
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " One of the worst books I've read in a long time. "

    — Wendi, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " this was also a book club recommendation, but I just couldn't get into it. I only read 75 pages and took it back to the library, boring to me. "

    — Iluv2paint, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A book of good against evil within one family...keeps you thinking til the end. A wonderful story about communist China. "

    — Megan, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Having met the author and liked him, I feel sort of curmudgeonly about giving this book only three stars. I am aware of its strengths. Chen is an able storyteller; he keeps things moving along, and there is plenty of action and intrigue. (I kept seeing this as a Hollywood movie.) He sets the hyperbolic tone in the first few pages of the story, but I sometimes wondered why every character was the best at what he/she did. At times, the characters seemed to aquire money and power almost effortlessly. Nevertheless, I am interested in reading more by this writer and I look forward to his future efforts. "

    — Suzanne, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This started out well, but about halfway through, I felt like I was reading a superhero comic book without the pictures. The evil was so exagerrated, the villains were unspeakably barbaric, the heroine was so perfect and heroic--everything was over the top. Disappointing. "

    — Hot, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book stays with me ... lots of action and fun. "

    — Elysa, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " What I like most about this book is it's oriental style & culture that is all so familiar. And how everything is so real, how fate is so destined, how corruption is so infiltrated into every part of society. "

    — Hong, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting book, if a bit of vulgarity in it. I try to skip past those parts, but nice change of scenery. "

    — Lisa, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " the last 1/3 of this book was extremely frustrating. i wasn't rooting for either of the main characters...in fact, i thought they deserved whatever horridness came their way. "

    — Francesca, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I like this book but not as much as I like The Color of the Mountain, his memoir. The novel is about a legitimate and an illegitimate brother who become rivals in modern-day China leadership--and about the girl who loves them both. "

    — Judy, 12/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great novel set in China's cultural revolution. Highly recommended! "

    — Leslie, 11/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Awesome story. Definately wanted to know how everything was going to tie together and I was very satisfied. Loosely based on Chinese history from 1960-1990. It made me want to read more actual Chinese history to see what was real and what was not. The only trouble with historical fiction! "

    — Alexis, 10/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book is beautifully written but it's just one too many stories set during the cultural revolution for my tastes. The first few I read were riveting, but somehow now it seems like I've read the story before, even if the characters have changed slightly. "

    — Kirsten, 6/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good book - about China in the 1980's "

    — Peggy, 6/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is one of my all-time favorite books, ever, across all genres. "

    — Mark, 4/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I got it a gift and didn't know exactly what to expect, but it is a very interesting book. "

    — Ana, 1/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved loved loved this book! Setting is China leading up to Tiananmen Square. This book has everything -- love, hatred, betrayal, brutality, tenderness, kindness -- and did I mention love? -- everything that human existence can contain. You really should read this book! "

    — Beth, 12/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " For the effort two stars. Don't wasteyour time,though. "

    — Martin, 12/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Somehow I just couldn't get involved in this story. I did learn things about Chinese history (assuming Mr. Chen is correctly reflecting the events of the time) but found myself hurrying through the get to the end. "

    — Kc, 7/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Quite interesting given the backdrop. But difficult to root for the right brother. "

    — Jae, 7/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I really liked the first two thirds of the book. The author does a great job of making you both love and hate the two main characters. Unfortunately the end had a little to much melodrama for my taste. Based on Da Chen's other work I think he has a bright future and I look forward to my empress. "

    — Jeff, 7/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A pretty solid debut novel. Yes, the coincidences are implausible. Yes, it dragged in places. However, I kept wanting to read to find out if Shento would evolve or not. You will have to read for yourself to find out if he did or not. "

    — Maegan, 5/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " likable, but not lovable. the last half of the book was so predictable that i had to force myself to read it, which was easy enough since da chen is a proficient writer. not one for the book clubs as my librarian apparently suggested, but definitely a decent read. "

    — Janet, 12/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Thought it would give me some cultural and historical insight. The flow of the read was not smooth at all. I was bewildered most of the time. "

    — Angel, 6/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It's pretty interesting book as to how lives intertwines together "

    — Mary, 6/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great novel set in China's cultural revolution. Highly recommended! "

    — Leslie, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book stays with me ... lots of action and fun. "

    — Elysa, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " likable, but not lovable. the last half of the book was so predictable that i had to force myself to read it, which was easy enough since da chen is a proficient writer. not one for the book clubs as my librarian apparently suggested, but definitely a decent read. "

    — Janet, 4/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Excellent beginning to the book with unique style and concepts. The book becomes predictable and Michener like about halfway through. No one is capable of greatness unless they have the blood of generations of greatness. The ending was a surprise. "

    — John, 1/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I like this book but not as much as I like The Color of the Mountain, his memoir. The novel is about a legitimate and an illegitimate brother who become rivals in modern-day China leadership--and about the girl who loves them both. "

    — Judy, 12/2/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A decent translation and maybe it's not quite a 4*. Nonetheless it is an interesting novel into the dynamics of family within Chinese culture. "

    — Fran, 7/4/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Very interesting book about half brothers and their lives in China. I would like to read more novels by Da Chen. I kept wondering how much was based on fact. "

    — Joann, 6/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Awesome story. Definately wanted to know how everything was going to tie together and I was very satisfied. Loosely based on Chinese history from 1960-1990. It made me want to read more actual Chinese history to see what was real and what was not. The only trouble with historical fiction! "

    — alexis, 6/3/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " What I like most about this book is it's oriental style & culture that is all so familiar. And how everything is so real, how fate is so destined, how corruption is so infiltrated into every part of society. "

    — Hong, 6/1/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " One of the worst books I've read in a long time. "

    — Wendi, 3/2/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting book, if a bit of vulgarity in it. I try to skip past those parts, but nice change of scenery. "

    — Lisa, 2/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I got it a gift and didn't know exactly what to expect, but it is a very interesting book. "

    — Ana, 7/24/2009

About the Narrators

Fred Sanders, an actor and Earphones Award–winning narrator, has received critics’ praise for his audio narrations that range from nonfiction, memoir, and fiction to mystery and suspense. He been seen on Broadway in The Buddy Holly Story, in national tours for Driving Miss Daisy and Big River, and on such television shows as Seinfeld, The West Wing, Will and Grace, Numb3rs,Titus, and Malcolm in the Middle. His films include Sea of Love, The Shadow, and the Oscar-nominated short Culture. He is a native New Yorker and Yale graduate.

Louis L’Amour (1908–1988) was an American author whose Western stories are loved the world over. Born in Jamestown, North Dakota, he was the most decorated author in the history of American letters. In 1982 he was the first American author ever to be awarded a Special National Gold Medal by the United States Congress for lifetime literary achievement, and in 1984 President Reagan awarded him the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the nation. He was also a recipient of the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award.

Louis L’Amour (1908–1988) was an American author whose Western stories are loved the world over. Born in Jamestown, North Dakota, he was the most decorated author in the history of American letters. In 1982 he was the first American author ever to be awarded a Special National Gold Medal by the United States Congress for lifetime literary achievement, and in 1984 President Reagan awarded him the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the nation. He was also a recipient of the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award.