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Cry to Heaven (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.00) - 12,204 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In a sweeping saga of music and vengeance, the acclaimed author of The Vampire Chronicles draws readers into eighteenth-century Italy, bringing to life the decadence beneath the shimmering surface of Venice, the wild frivolity of Naples, and the magnetic terror of its shadow, Vesuvius. This is the story of the castrati, the exquisite and otherworldly sopranos whose graceful bodies and glorious voices win the adulation of royal courts and grand opera houses throughout Europe. These men are revered as idols—and, at the same time, scorned for all they are not. Praise for Anne Rice and Cry to Heaven “Daring and imaginative . . . [Anne] Rice seems like nothing less than a magician: It is a pure and uncanny talent that can give a voice to monsters and angels both.”—The New York Times Book Review “To read Anne Rice is to become giddy as if spinnning through the mind of time.”—San Francisco Chronicle “If you surrender and go with her . . . you have surrendered to enchantment, as in a voluptuous dream.”—The Boston Globe “Rice is eerily good at making the impossible seem self-evident.”—Time
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"Wow. Really REALLY good. Anne Rice's attention to detail are amazing, as always. (It's too bad she's only writing about Jesus now.) A great, epic read - one of those books that, when you finish it, makes you feel like you're just getting back from having lived another entire life. It's follows one man through Italy's castrati society. As a warning: The book is full of Anne's trademark homoerotica - which is (in my opinion) tastefully done. I'm not sure how men would feel about this book, castration being a tough subject. And definitely not for children of any age."
— Deb (5 out of 5 stars)
Cry to Heaven Listener Reviews
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" It in this book that I believe we find the answers to many questions about Michael Jackson - his strange skin changes, his elongated limbs, his voice as it aged. Love this book for what it reveals about a dark not so distant part of the Catholic Church's history of abusing young boys especially for political and financial gain. "
— Eroshome, 2/10/2014 -
" Yet another favorite of mine from Anne Rice. She was such an amazing story teller. Heard she got all religious which is a shame. "
— Traci, 2/5/2014 -
" Fascinating story and great detail of Renaissance Italy. "
— Greg, 1/30/2014 -
" Second favorite Anne Rice book ever. The scenery is amazing. "
— Kelly, 1/22/2014 -
" Well researched, but the story was convoluted and somehow also bland. "
— Denise, 1/16/2014 -
" I read this in high school and really liked it ... if that tells you anything "
— Seth, 1/13/2014 -
" This book took me FOREVER to finish. lol but that being said I adored it. I think its one of Anne Rice's best books. It really is a must read although I warn you it is a little different. "
— Shadow, 1/11/2014 -
" I picked this one off the library shelves in a rush, but was pleasantly surprised. I tend to view Anne Rice fiction as mediocre (there's good and bad), but found this novel to be pretty special. I would give it 4.5 stars, if I could. "
— Christi, 12/29/2013 -
" I actually read the book. I could not find the book so I am just using the audio cover. I love the arts. I loved this book. "
— Marlene, 12/8/2013 -
" Propably more than I ever needed to know about Italian Castrati in the 18th century, but still... "
— April, 10/15/2013 -
" Really well written book about 15th century Italy. "
— Christopher, 10/4/2013 -
" This book was heavy on intrigue and history with good justified revenge. Another of my favs from Anne Rice. "
— Helen, 9/23/2013 -
" I'm never sure how I feel about Anne Rice books that don't have vampires in them, but this one quickly pulled me in. A fascinating look at the lives of the castrati. As much as Tonio frustrated me at times, the characters in this book are believable and lovable. "
— Lianne, 8/19/2013 -
" could not finish moved to slow boring "
— Charlac, 7/8/2013 -
" It was absultely fascinating to read about the "castrati" in Old Venice and how they lived (being castrated at a very young age to preserve the high voice and trained thereon for a life as a singer). However, the whole book was just so sad and dark, but that's Anna Rice right? "
— Katielin317, 6/27/2013 -
" I absolutely looooove this book, and have read it many times. I recommend it. It's a stand alone book, not part of the vampire or witch series. "
— Jaymie, 6/11/2013 -
" good book--took some turns i wasnt ready for...but good book. "
— Natalie, 3/26/2013 -
" 'Cry To Heaven' is a wonderful book. It's original, beautifully written and full of emotion. This is one of my favorite books by Anne Rice. "
— Kimifly, 1/28/2013 -
" i love this book so much, the detail and study that she must experience is astounding... i love the beauty and astonishment of this book "
— Mary, 10/28/2012 -
" Great book, not part of any series, about an Italian castrato singer, really good. "
— Heidiaz, 9/14/2012 -
" Add this to your reading list--while you're at it..make sure to read the Mayfair Witches series..truly unique and fascinating. "
— Julieb, 7/24/2012 -
" Great epic story. I read it years ago, forgot the details already, but remember the huge impression the book made on me. "
— kasjo_peja, 6/23/2012 -
" Before you roll your eyes because this is an Anne Rice book, look again. It's a well-researched historical novel - the story of one of the last Castrati singers in Italy. If a bit overlush in the prose and detail, it's a fascinating story. "
— Roberta, 6/28/2011 -
" This book, I think, is much a historical fiction. Anne Rice paints a picture of the French Quarter in the years shortly after slavery. Very dramatic. "
— Elyssa, 6/2/2011 -
" I read this book many years ago and since then I have never completely let loose of the main character, Tonio. He's like somebody I once knew that stays with me in the very back of my mind. This is one of the best books I've ever read. Well written is an understatement. "
— Gmoney, 5/17/2011 -
" I've got mixed feelings about this book - on one hand it's enthralling learning about other worlds; on the other it's quite over-ripe, decadent and debauched in parts (the writing as well as lifestyle). Very definitely an adult read! "
— Marj, 5/3/2011 -
" I had previously known little about this practice in this period of history except for the sill jokes you hear school boys make. There are scenes in this novel that have stayed with me for years. "
— JoDee, 4/26/2011 -
" Great read with good historical facts on opera during the time of the castrati. "
— Mandy, 3/3/2011 -
" love anne rice, but this book could have ended a few chapters earlier. "
— Roseanne, 2/2/2011 -
" A nice read. I enjoyed how well she crafted her main character. "
— Ally, 1/31/2011
About Anne Rice
Anne Rice was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She holds a Master of Arts degree in English and creative writing from San Francisco State University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in political science. She is the author of over thirty books, including tales of the Mayfair Witches. Her first novel, Interview with the Vampire, was published in 1976 and has gone on to become part of one of the bestselling series of all time. She continued her saga of the Vampire Lestat in a series of books, collectively known as the Vampire Chronicles, which have had both great mainstream and cult followings. She lives in Palm Desert, California.
About Tim Curry
Tim Curry has created a rich array of memorable characters for both the screen and stage, most notably the role of the scientist in the Broadway and film versions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He’s been nominated for Tony Awards for his roles in My Favorite Year and The Pirates of Penzance. His film credits include Muppet Treasure Island, The Shadow, Clue, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Three Musketeers, and many, many more.