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The Boat Audiobook, by Nam Le Play Audiobook Sample

The Boat Audiobook

The Boat Audiobook, by Nam Le Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Robin Miles, various narrators, James Yaegashi, Henry Strozier, Ali Ahn, Gideon Emery, Jennifer Ikeda, Jesus Martinez Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 7.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN:

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

16

Longest Chapter Length:

53:05 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:22 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

39:34 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

4

Other Audiobooks Written by Nam Le: > View All...

Publisher Description

This collection of stories from Pushcart Prize-winning author Nam Le has been shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize, is a New York Times Editors' Pick, and earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The seven stories' protagonists range from a Colombian teenage assassin to an elderly painter with health problems. "Powerful ... Lyrical ... Devastating ... A harsh and master ful effort, each tale a clean shot through the heart, the aim true."-Miami Herald

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"I have to say that this author is very itneresting. He writes of so many different venues and characters. If writers usually write of what they know, he either knows an awful lot, has traveled an awful lot, has a wide circle of friends of varying cultures and backgrounds or he has an unusually fertile imagination. This is a book of short stories. Every one is different. However, in most of them the overall mood is dark. I think I would have liked it more if the mood was a bit lighter."

— Pat (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • Powerful ... Lyrical ... Devastating ... A harsh and master ful effort, each tale a clean shot through the heart, the aim true.

    — Miami Herald

The Boat Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.5384615384615383 out of 53.5384615384615383 out of 53.5384615384615383 out of 53.5384615384615383 out of 53.5384615384615383 out of 5 (3.54)
5 Stars: 5
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 5
2 Stars: 6
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

    " Immaculate fiction writing over a variety of subject matter - the loveliest of story telling. poignant. "

    — Crystal, 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

    " This terrific book of short stories should win awards this year. The stories are so well written that I visualized all the characters and scenes without being aware of detailed descriptions. Although the author is originally Vietnamese, the stories are set in a variety of countries. Many have teens as major characters so it would be interesting to see what a mature teen thought of the collection. "

    — Karlan, 2/3/2014
  • 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've learned things of other cultures, lives. Some stories didn't grab me as much as others but it was worthwhile. "

    — Patricia, 1/29/2014
  • 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

    " Writing feels like it's trying too hard. I really wanted to like it but did not grab me. "

    — Davida, 12/22/2013
  • 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 collection of short stories has been widely hyped as the most promising first collection of fiction in ages. Nam Le was born in VietNam and raised in Australia, then ended up at the Iowa Writer's Workshop. "

    — Diane, 12/20/2013
  • 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

    " Short stories--well written, dark. All very different, from different points of view... "

    — Dawn, 11/26/2013
  • 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

    " I don't usually get into short stories so much but this was amazing. "

    — Bec, 10/27/2013
  • 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

    " so much feeling from so few words. "

    — Kailin, 9/21/2013
  • 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

    " A fantastic short story collection from a fresh Austalian voice (even if he was born in Vietnam and lives in the US). Will be fascinated to see if he goes on to publish novels. Highly recommended. "

    — Chris, 8/9/2013
  • 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

    " "Empty virtuosity" is the faint praise a reviewer used to damn this short story collection and afraid I agree. Gave up after reading about 3/4 of it - just didn't grab me. "

    — Betsy, 8/3/2013
  • 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

    " To be honest, i am definitely not a big fan of short stories - just not enough character development for me. I found the stories difficult to get into. I was disappointed. "

    — Indi, 7/27/2013
  • 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

    " This is a very uneven collection of stories. Some of them (the first and the last stories, for instance) are excellent, while some of them are pretty weak. The first and last stories of the book ("Love and Honor..." and "The Boat") are, without a doubt, the two standouts. "

    — Sultan, 6/12/2013
  • 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

    " Yep. First two stories were really good and then it just got stale. Why all the hype on this one? "

    — Matt, 3/30/2013
  • 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

    " the first one was good. and maybe there was another good one. but this book annoyed me. i just didn't care that much. not to say that there's not good writing, but whatever. blah. "

    — Tripmastermonkey, 2/8/2013
  • 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

    " I'm reading everything twice, and then I'm going to run out and buy the book, so that I may highlight, dog-ear, and enjoy this again and again. Easily the best of the year. "

    — Nancy, 10/23/2012
  • 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

    " Chose it because of recommendation. Doubt that I will ever finish it. "

    — Allison, 9/3/2012
  • 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

    " Read this for a short story lit class. The stories were not bad,some were definitely better than others but it lacked something. He definitely is skillful in his ability to take on some many characters from different backgrounds. "

    — Katelyn, 5/15/2012
  • 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

    " simply great first book of short stories. you WILL hear more about nam le. very reminiscent of frank conroy, joyce carol oates, robert olen butler. "

    — Tuck, 9/3/2011
  • 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

    " You'll either love this collection for its varied settings and voices, or struggle with it for the same reasons. "

    — Patrick, 8/22/2011
  • 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

    " I don't ordinarily read short stories, but I found these well written and very engrosing. "

    — Susan, 8/1/2011
  • 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

    " what i learned from this book? what a funny prompt... "

    — K.O., 4/17/2011
  • 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

    " Loved the broad geographic range and yet the focus on parent-child relations. How does a young writer go so far from home, Vietnam, Australia, Tehran, Hiroshima and NYC and yet stay so close to home? "

    — Eric, 4/4/2011
  • 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

    " Really intense stories & very diverse with respect to style, location, theme. Didn't much like Hiroshima. "

    — Adrienne, 2/21/2011
  • 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

    " Some wonderful short stories but too many underwhelming ones mixed in with this series. "

    — Michael, 11/26/2010
  • 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

    " Hard to say anything but this was the best collection of short stories I may have ever read. Amazing depth and breadth,diverse settings and topics but each one deep and probably more complex, with better character development, than many novels. Truly a masterpiece--read it. "

    — Ariana, 11/6/2010
  • 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

    " Beautifully written, he is able to get into the skins of many different kinds of people, bringing forth their character and surroundings in rich detail. He takes on many voices for each story, and though you feel smothered, sometimes, in their lives, his presence as an author is always subtle. "

    — Kathryn, 11/6/2010

About the Narrators

Robin Miles, named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, has twice won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, an Audie Award for directing, and many Earphones Awards. Her film and television acting credits include The Last Days of Disco, Primary Colors, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, New York Undercover, National Geographic’s Tales from the Wild, All My Children, and One Life to Live. She regularly gives seminars to members of SAG and AFTRA actors’ unions, and in 2005 she started Narration Arts Workshop in New York City, offering audiobook recording classes and coaching. She holds a BA degree in theater studies from Yale University, an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama, and a certificate from the British American Drama Academy in England.

Traber Burns worked for thirty-five years in regional theater, including the New York, Oregon, and Alabama Shakespeare festivals. He also spent five years in Los Angeles appearing in many television productions and commercials, including Lost, Close to Home, Without a Trace, Boston Legal, Grey’s Anatomy, Cold Case, Gilmore Girls, and others.

James Yaegashi has appeared in numerous Broadway and off-Broadway productions, film, and television roles. He was also a popular radio disc jockey in Japan. He is a four-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award for audiobook narration, and his voice-over credits include a featured role in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Henry Strozier is an actor with a forty-year career in numerous movies and television series. Also a voice-over artist, he has worked extensively in video games and audiobook narration, earning several AudioFile Earphones Awards.

Ali Ahn is a film, television, and voice actor. Her acting credits include appearances on Law & Order, Ugly Betty, White Collar, and Zero Hour. She has also narrated numerous audio books, such as Honolulu by Alan Brennert, This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas, and Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart.

Gideon Emery was raised in England and South Africa, where he won the National Vita Award for Comedy and a Gold Craft Award for Voice-over. Now based in Los Angeles, he has appeared on such television series as 24, Burn Notice, Eleventh Hour, CSI:NY, and Moonlight. His film credits include Primeval, Train, and Takers. He is also an in-demand voice for video games.

Jennifer Ikeda has been narrating audiobooks since 2002. Among her readings are When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park; Just Listen by Sarah Dessen; and After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates. She has won six AudioFile Earphones Awards.