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The Blind Contessas New Machine: A Novel Audiobook, by Carey Wallace Play Audiobook Sample

The Blind Contessa's New Machine: A Novel Audiobook

The Blind Contessas New Machine: A Novel Audiobook, by Carey Wallace Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Aasne Vigesaa Publisher: Brilliance Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: July 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781441881366

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

12

Longest Chapter Length:

34:00 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

23:58 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

29:49 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Publisher Description

Carolina Fantoni, a young contessa in nineteenth-century Italy, is going blind. But nobody believes her: neither her parents, nor her fiancé, the town’s most sought-after bachelor. Only her friend Turri, the eccentric local inventor, understands. But as darkness erases her world, Carolina discovers one place she can still see—in her dreams. In them, she can not only see, but fly, exploring new worlds in her own mind.

Losing her sight isolates Carolina. Even writing letters with pen and ink proves almost impossible—until Turri invents a new machine: the world’s first typewriter. His gift ignites a passionate love affair that will mark both of their lives forever.

Based on the true story of the blind woman who inspired the invention of the typewriter, The Blind Contessa’s New Machine is an iridescent jewel of a novel that celebrates the triumph of the imagination and proves that love is the mother of invention.

Download and start listening now!

"Enjoyable audiobook and interesting and satisfying historical fiction imagining an extended story based on a real story of how the typewriter was invented. Something I especially liked about this story was not that it focused so much on the invention but more on Carolina's blindness and her personal experience with that. It was a kind of description that was as personally an intriguing to me as the book Blindness by Saramego but a completely different kind of story."

— Susie (4 out of 5 stars)

Awards

  • Selected for the July 2010 Indie Next List
  • Nominated for the Barnes & Noble Discover Award

The Blind Contessa's New Machine Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.8181818181818183 out of 53.8181818181818183 out of 53.8181818181818183 out of 53.8181818181818183 out of 53.8181818181818183 out of 5 (3.82)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 16
3 Stars: 10
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 0
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: 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 absolutely loved this book....until the end. Worst ending ever. "

    — Kimberly, 2/18/2014
  • 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

    " I love a love story . This delightful little book is full of descriptions allowing you to enter into Carolina's world of blindness and privy to her love affair with Turri, the inventor of the typewriter. "

    — Lynn, 1/29/2014
  • 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

    " Amazing little book. Wonderful writing and a moving story. "

    — Jessica, 1/25/2014
  • 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

    " I found this book to be sad and interesting at the same time. I like how it held a slight mystery feeling throughout the book. "

    — Wendy, 1/23/2014
  • 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

    " Well written - fable like story. "

    — Mary, 1/13/2014
  • 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

    " Great summer read. Very descriptive of how it feels to lose one's sight but still see in her dreams. "

    — Sandra, 1/2/2014
  • 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

    " Oh my goodness, I didn't know I still had this listed. I read this so long ago now it seems. I remember liking it. I especially liked the little fun fact of knowing how the typewriter was invented... "

    — Kathy, 11/29/2013
  • 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

    " Would not have chose this on my own but it was a book club pick. Easy read kind of fairly tale-ish (which is what the review said). Didn't realize this is a mostly true story until I had already read it. Good break from my usual. "

    — Jill, 11/28/2013
  • 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

    " Such a beautiful, fantastical delight. For lovers of fairy tales and the magic of invention. I read this in two sittings, and then read it again. "

    — Rasika, 11/24/2013
  • 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

    " I was happily carried along by this delightful tale until I was abruptly dropped by the ending, which did not seem plausible or likely to me at all. After enjoying the book so much up until that point, I was seriously disgruntled by the lack of a proper resolution! "

    — Adrianna, 11/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 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

    " It started off with so much promise and ended too abruptly. "

    — Elisabeth, 10/24/2013
  • 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

    " This historical fiction novel, based on one of the inventors of the typewriter & carbon paper is pure delight!! It is a feast for the senses, imagination, heart and mind. I absolutely adored reading this jewel of a novel!! "

    — Beth, 7/9/2013
  • 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

    " I always like to read a romance close to Valentine's Day. This was short and sweet. I liked it, and it did satisfy my need for romance, but had a predictable and somewhat unsatisfying ending. "

    — Nichole, 6/25/2013
  • 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

    " I didn't like the ending, but is that possible? "

    — Claire, 3/27/2013
  • 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

    " Read for book club. Looking forward to the discussion. "

    — Tina, 1/12/2013
  • 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

    " Wonderful imagery. Delightful little book. "

    — Ann, 9/12/2012
  • 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

    " I really enjoyed this book! Read it in one sitting. I cried a little, laughed a lot, and in the last few pages became very angry. I was left feeling disappointed and annoyed, as is usually the case with stories based on real life. All I all I say it's worth reading. "

    — Lucky, 4/22/2012
  • 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 different from what I read, but I like it. "

    — Malia, 4/20/2012
  • 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

    " This is a haunting, lyrical, evocative novel, one of the best I've read this year. "

    — Sandra, 10/30/2011
  • 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 enjoyed this book very much. With its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions, it swept me into feeling what it might be like to go blind. The book had a definite fairy tale feel to it. "

    — Terry, 9/18/2011
  • 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 loved this. Is the tale true about the invention of the typewriter? "

    — Katie, 6/29/2011
  • 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

    " Stumbled upon this book at the library. I love perusing the displays the librarians create! Just started the novel and am totally entranced. "

    — Elisa, 6/22/2011
  • 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

    " The narration of this book made me feel the Contessa going blind. Excellent description, and by the end of it, I wanted to know more about her love interest, the love letters she exchanged with Turri and what happened to her.<br/><br/> "

    — Tracyteacher05, 6/3/2011
  • 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

    " Not what I was expecting from just reading the title and end note. Not a historical novel. Well told story however. "

    — Judy, 5/24/2011
  • 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

    " eh, I found it a little disappointing, no surprises in the plot and the writing was pretty straightforward fiction fare. But it was an interesting historical story and an enjoyable read - and a short one! "

    — Jeanne, 5/23/2011
  • 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 love a love story . This delightful little book is full of descriptions allowing you to enter into Carolina's world of blindness and privy to her love affair with Turri, the inventor of the typewriter. "

    — Lynn, 5/16/2011
  • 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

    " if i could give this book 6 stars i would. a stunning book by a first time author. i took it everywhere to keep reading....an ending you will never expect....don't miss this little treasure. "

    — Jec, 5/11/2011
  • 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

    " Proportedly based on the true story of the invention of the typewriter. Interesting but sad story--so many bad marriages dictated by rigid social conventions of the day that separated people by class. "

    — Ruby, 5/10/2011
  • 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

    " 4 stars until the very end. I felt the ending was rather abrupt. I felt a bit cheated. "

    — Tif, 5/9/2011
  • 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

    " It was sweet, clean (free from profanity) and very tastefully done considering it involved adultery. <br/>I really enjoyed this book. I didn't &quot;crave&quot; reading it as I do some books but it certainly kept me coming back. <br/>I will definitely be reading the authors future books. "

    — Sarah, 5/4/2011
  • 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 sweet love story set in 19th century Italy. I thought the writing was beautiful. The story is kind of sad, but very enjoyable to read. "

    — Mary, 4/23/2011
  • 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

    " Amazing little book. Wonderful writing and a moving story. "

    — Jessica, 4/11/2011
  • 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

    " This book is whimsical in the best way. Absolutely loved it! "

    — Sarah, 3/26/2011

About Carey Wallace

Carey Wallace grew up in Michigan and has worked as a waitress, art studio manager, private biographer, and lady’s maid to an automotive heiress. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

About Aasne Vigesaa

Aasne Vigesaa lives in Springfield, Illinois, with her husband, James, their daughter Willa, and two dogs. When she is not narrating, she enjoys acting and teaching yoga.