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Hell at the Breech Audiobook, by Tom Franklin Play Audiobook Sample

Hell at the Breech Audiobook

Hell at the Breech Audiobook, by Tom Franklin Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Larry Pine Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 8.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 6.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: December 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781436142809

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

39

Longest Chapter Length:

30:58 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:25 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

20:29 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Tom Franklin: > View All...

Publisher Description

This immensely accomplished novel by the author of the Edgar Award-winning short story collection Poachers is based on a real-life feud in the 1890s that pitted the underclass-poor, mostly white sharecroppers -of Clarke County, Ala., against the land-owning gentry who could and did control their fate. "Franklin may have used history as a starting point, but he imagines the events in human terms, creating a book that transmutes historical fact into something much more powerful, dramatic and compelling."-Publishers Weekly, starred review

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"Couldn't put this down, and for the first time in a long time I thought I had the characters figured and didn't...but the twists made them more real than my figuring. That's what stands out for me, but there's also the writing -- an old fashioned flavour to it, but gritty and raw and sometimes beautiful. Paragraphs capped off with razors. And the story line, which slowly gathers speed until you're on a speeding train so exciting you don't jump even though you know the wreck is coming."

— Andrea (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Franklin may have used history as a starting point, but he imagines the events in human terms, creating a book that transmutes historical fact into something much more powerful, dramatic and compelling.”

    — Publishers Weekly, starred review

Hell at the Breech Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.962962962962963 out of 53.962962962962963 out of 53.962962962962963 out of 53.962962962962963 out of 53.962962962962963 out of 5 (3.96)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 12
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 2
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: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Brutal Southern fiction, set in the late 1800 Mississippi area. Probably wouldn't have read this except that it's about the family of someone I know--and doesn't portray their ancestors in a good light. But after I got into it, it proved interesting enough to finish. I do like the way Tom Franklin writes. "

    — MaryAnn, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fantastic book by a "new south" writer. Believable characters in a historical setting. The conflict between poor tenant farmers and the town folks in rural Alabama in the 1890's--taking the law into their own hands--- is expertly handled. If you like southern literature, you will love this book. "

    — Ken, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A lot of heart and soul in the writing. Sympathy for the Devil "

    — Mickelo, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Based on a true series of events in rural Alabama, this was a dark but authentic look at the inner-workings of small, Southern towns during the turn of the last century. "

    — Scott, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Even better than the first Tom Franklin book I read. I'm a fan now "

    — John, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A beautiful book, but not for the fainthearted. Definitely violent and sometimes graphic, though it felt appropriate to the story. Larry Pine's reading is perfect--just the slightest gruffness but nothing overpowering. "

    — K, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not my usual type of book because of the violence, but it was actually super interesting. The action moves fairly quickly and the characters are fascinating. "

    — Keets, 12/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " historical fiction, post-civil war south. franklin writes about the world in all its wonderful, violent, ugly funkiness and it makes a beautiful novel. full of moments where I had to pause to admire the sneaky brilliance of franklin's prose. "

    — Scott, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not my favorite Tom Franklin book. "

    — Jo, 11/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A gut bustin' sidewinder. And who said prostitution is a victimless crime? "

    — Craig, 9/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great story and I love the eloquence of language. "

    — AR, 2/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Some fairly interesting set pieces and characters, but flat, predictable, and poorly paced, with the end collapsing in a tired heap. 2.5 stars. "

    — Mike, 1/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The idea for the book was okay but I did not like the characters. All of the characters seemed to come from hell itself with the exception of Macky and the sheriff and the old woman and they too seemed to have at least one foot in. I can't imagine anyone being that ignorant, dirty and uncaring. "

    — Marlyn, 11/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Damn fine Western set in Alabama. "

    — Suzanne, 10/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Both "Hell at the Breech" and "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter" by Tom Franklin give an engrossing picture of the morality and philosophy of the South after the Civil War. Its struggle to come to terms with their new life, their poverty, and their sense of control. "

    — Mary, 7/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " My favorite book so far this year. "

    — Carla, 8/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was very violent and mean. I did not enjoy it at all. "

    — Kari, 7/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I've had this book forever but only just started reading it. I can't put it down, it's so good. I'm partial to these kinds of books because it's about Alabama and I grew up in Alabama. Franklin is a great writer. "

    — Sonya, 7/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Despite the typical deep south violence cliche, it was a very good book. Compelling story and the two boys made it tragic. A page turner. "

    — Mike, 4/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Tom Franklin hits the nail on this novel about a small town back in the 1890's. A small group of men decide to take the law onto themselves.<br/>Each of the characters are well described and life in this small Southern <br/>Town is quite explicit.<br/>Very well written. "

    — Sally, 4/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was good. An interesting historical fiction novel. Not something I'm dying to re-read, but definitely a part of history that I knew nothing about. "

    — Leigh, 4/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very good fictional account of a very bloody little war. "

    — Jonathan, 3/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A beautiful book, but not for the fainthearted. Definitely violent and sometimes graphic, though it felt appropriate to the story. Larry Pine's reading is perfect--just the slightest gruffness but nothing overpowering. "

    — K, 1/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This tale of back-country, old-time bloody vigilantism is a solid read. I tackled it at about the same time as Tim Gautreaux's &quot;The Clearing,&quot; a similarly textured novel. "

    — Tim, 12/25/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of the very best books I have read in a long time. This reminds me of the county I grew up in with areas in it that are heavily controlled by certain families. This history of my county isn't too far removed. I could easily believe this could have happened here. "

    — Jeremy, 11/2/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Damn fine Western set in Alabama. "

    — Suzanne, 7/12/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very gritty, but extremely well written. "

    — Greg, 6/11/2010

About Tom Franklin

Tom Franklin is the author of Poachers, Hell at the Breech, and Smonk. Winner of an Edgar Award and a 2001 Guggenheim Fellowship, he teaches at the University of Mississippi and lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife, the poet Beth Ann Fennelly, and their children.

About Larry Pine

Larry Pine is an American film, television, and theatre actor. He is married to composer and sound designer Margaret Pine.