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The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 3,125 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Edinburgh, 1874. Born with a frozen heart, Jack is near dead when his mother abandons him to the care of Dr. Madeleine—witch doctor, midwife, protector of orphans—who saves Jack by placing a cuckoo clock in his chest. It is in her orphanage that Jack grows up, amid tear-filled flasks, eggs containing memories, and a man with a musical spine. Dr. Madeleine warns Jack that his heart is too fragile for strong emotions: he must never, ever fall in love. But of course, he does, on his tenth birthday, and with head-over-heels abandon, for a bespectacled young street performer with a soul-stirring voice. But it's not only Jack's heart that's at risk, it's his very life. Now begins a wild journey of escape and pursuit, from Edinburgh to Paris to Andalusia, where Jack will finally learn the great joys—and the greater costs—of owning a fully formed heart.
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"Beautiful and deep :) I was actually glad the book was short, beacuse if the feelings would have been developed and more detailed I think my heart would also broke into pieces. The art cover is stunning and the film will be out in October 2011. "
— Adeselna (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Malzieu’s prose is distinctly original, spitting and fizzing with unique similes and striking metaphors, wonderfully translated by Sarah Ardizzone.”
— Guardian (London) -
“Affords considerable escapist pleasures…Malzieu sketches European landscapes and crafts figurative language with irresistible relish…Calling to mind a host of cultural touchstones, from Pinocchio to The Wizard of Oz, this kaleidoscopic picaresque will enchant many adults and young people alike.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“The celebrated Jim Dale is an inspired choice to present this quirky take on a timeless love story. His lovely English accent, gift for creating voices, and mastery of pace and intensity make this performance a real treat…Dale’s skills will enthrall adult listeners. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile -
“Malzieu uses vivid metaphors and fantastical inventions to craft a beautifully written tale of love, both maternal and romantic…not unlike a Tim Burton film—dreamy, dark, and magical.”
— Library Journal -
“Malzieu’s dark, fanciful Tim Burton-esque story is dually delightful and sorrowful. Multiple Grammy, Tony, and Audie award winner Jim Dale infuses his inimitable charm into this French fable, bringing it vividly to life.”
— Library Journal (starred audio review) -
“A phantasmagorical novel.”
— Booklist -
“Music from Malzieu’s band Dionysos is seamlessly and appropriately included at the beginning and end of the story. Jim Dale, talented narrator of the Harry Potter series and many other audio titles, captures the beautiful language of this novel in a fully-voiced reading. Jack’s Scottish accent is gentle and easily understood, and the voices of other characters are easily distinguishable. Older teen and adult listeners are in for a treat with this recording. Some graphic sex and language.”
— SoundCommentary.com
Awards
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An Audie Award Finalist
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
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Au AudioFile Best Book of the Year
The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart Listener Reviews
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" This book was absolutely wonderful. I read it in less than a day, it was fun and interesting and the language was beautiful. I would definitely recommend it. "
— Jess, 12/17/2013 -
" Este libro es de esa clase que, aunque es muy sencillo, te mueve emociones y te hace reflexionar un poco. "
— Irene, 9/12/2013 -
" Fantastic, love the depth of imaginative detail! "
— Nitasia, 1/10/2013 -
" Mi aspettavo di meglio. Comunque di facile lettura. "
— Nadia, 10/11/2012 -
" Fantastically crazy! An adult fairy tale about love and heartbreak set in Scotland in the late 1800's. Kind of a Pinocchio falls in love thing...I borrowed it from the library but may go buy my own copy. Sure to be a classic! "
— Linda, 12/5/2011 -
" A surreal steampunkish bittersweet romance for the mind. I really hope they do make an animated film of this! "
— Alesia, 4/18/2011 -
" voy por más de la mitad del libro ^^ me está gustando bastante! "
— Carmen, 3/31/2011 -
" La portada de Benjamin Lacombe hace muchisímo por el libro. "
— Joanna, 3/29/2011 -
" I really loved this book! It was so deep and sad at the end, that just made me cry for little Jack and his lover. =') "
— Mariana, 3/27/2011 -
" I read this a little while ago, very odd but decent read. "
— Becky, 3/17/2011 -
" mathias the greatest author, the way he uses the language has no comparison. "
— Lesther, 3/11/2011
About Mathias Malzieu
Mathias Malzieu is the lead singer of the French rock band Dionysos. The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart is the basis for an album that he wrote, and he will codirect an animated feature-film adaptation, optioned by Luc Besson. This is his third novel and the first to be translated into English. Born in 1974 in Montpellier, he now lives in Paris.
About Jim Dale
Jim Dale is the voice of all the characters in the Harry Potter audiobook series. As a narrator he has won two Grammy Awards, seven Grammy nominations, fifteen AudioFile Earphones Awards, and ten Audie Awards. As a stage and screen actor, he has won a Tony Award, four Tony nominations, four Drama Desk Awards, and two Academy Award nominations. In 2004 he was made a member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth.