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The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.02) - 2,064 listener ratings
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A legendary island steeped in the mystery and wisdom of centuries… A runaway heiress learning to trust life, and love… A mother and daughter, separated for years, searching for a way to face the future together… New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice tells a powerful story of love, family, and friendship through the lives of two women who reunite at a place where dreams begin—and where they may be fulfilled at last…. Years ago, Lyra Davis left behind a world of wealth and privilege and the people she loved most in the world, unable to reconcile the expectations of her celebrated family with the longings of her own wild heart. Now she lives quietly among a community of expatriates on the isle of Capri, slowly, carefully learning to live fully for the first time, flourishing in the friendship of a singular man who recognizes in her a kindred spirit. Granddaughter of the reigning doyenne of Newport, Rhode Island, wise beyond her sixteen years, Pell Davis is poised to take her place at the pinnacle of society. Yet she and her young sister still long for the mother who ran away from them when they were children so that they could be raised by the father they adored. Pell knows that Lyra felt she loved them best by leaving. But with her father now dead and her sister veering dangerously into fantasy, she will travel across an ocean to find the mother she remembers and the deeper truths they all need so desperately…. Lyrical, unforgettable, Luanne Rice’s new novel unfolds against a background of timeless beauty, as an unlikely love affair reshapes the meaning of devotion and three generations of women resist the pull of memory and tradition to find a new way forward.
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"I love how so many of her books are connected but its not necessary to have read them in order. I had read the Geometry of Sisters so it was fun to revisit some of the characters and have Pell and Lucy become the main characters in this book. This was a really emotional book to read. It is so hard to imagine a mother leaving her children and then to find out that Lyra had taken Pell with her when she was going to commit suicide and add in the question if she would have taken Pell with her when she jumped off the bridge. Wow. It was a heavy storyline! But so well done. The emotions were so real. I also appreciate that while the ending was happy its not a generic happily-ever-after kind of ending. It was comprimise and everyone becoming satisfied with how their life was. Much more realistic."
— Jodi (4 out of 5 stars)
The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners Listener Reviews
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" I have read many other Luanne Rice books and this was the worst one by far. I didn't like Lyra at all and her choices -- as a mother there are some things you just do not do. I couldn't understand how she had children and then stopped fighting for the right to see them and parent them. And I didn't like how her daughters, at 14 and 16, could express themselves as 24 year olds. The ending was the worst -- I didn't like that everything was resolved "happily ever after" and the kids could forgive their mom for 10 years' absence. "
— Holly, 2/15/2014 -
" This was an immensely powerful and thought-provoking book for me. I intend to buy my own copy now that I have read the library's copy. This is one of the very few fiction books that I am interested in having in my personal collection. "
— Connie, 2/14/2014 -
" Loved it. This was a continuation of The Geometry of Sisters. This made a great audio book, kept me engaged and had a few twists I didn't see coming. "
— Heidi, 2/14/2014 -
" Like the star rating.... it was ok. I only decided to listen to this audiobook because it was the second in a series after "The Geometry of Sisters". I found the plot predictable and the characters pretty bland but since I only half listened as I was doing things around the house it was bearable. "
— Morgan, 2/9/2014 -
" A moving story of a young girl to reunite her and her sister with their mother. It is a warm and sad tale. It is a continuation of the characters in "The Geometry of Sisters". "
— Camandwmm, 2/8/2014 -
" A story about family relationships and how to make them work. "
— Sherri, 2/6/2014 -
" I thought it was a little over the top; emotionally dramatic. Story line was good, characters were a contination from "The Geometry of Sisters". "
— Terry, 2/3/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book and the setting, even though in Capri, Italy it reminded me of Croatia and my vacation with family last summer. It is a easy read with very likable characters and a nice story about forgiveness and family. "
— Karen, 1/29/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book and the setting, even though in Capri, Italy it reminded me of Croatia and my vacation with family last summer. It is a easy read with very likable characters and a nice story about forgiveness and family. "
— Karen, 1/27/2014 -
" I listened to the audio version of the book, so I may have missed a thing or two, but overall I liked it. It wasn't one of the best books I have ever read, I didn't really understand how to girls could forgive their mother who walked out on them 10 years ago. I mean regardless of her reasons, she could have at least let them know she was going, not just walked out, and she could have made an effort to stay in their lives. Pell and Lucy just seemed to forgive her so quickly that it was like they never hated her at all for leaving. "
— Amy, 1/16/2014 -
" Yawn. All Rice's books seem the same. "
— Gail, 1/16/2014 -
" This was an excellent book. It was 90% family drama and 10% romance, and while I would have liked there to be more of a romance storyline, the plot & writing were great. Definitely worth the read. "
— Michelle, 1/16/2014 -
" This book was recommended by a friend. Each main character seems to be joined in the loss at a young age of a loved one. At times it is a bit contrived and some characters have no voice, even at a time of reconciliation. It is an interesting insight into the lifestyle of the Isle of Capri. "
— Pam, 1/11/2014 -
" A good easy read. Helped me clean out my tear ducts a bit... but nothing too earth shattering. "
— Trish, 1/8/2014 -
" I liked this book, but I feel that there was no closure at the end. Just wondering if there's a sequel. "
— ReneeB, 1/5/2014 -
" read this in one day. a sequel to The Geometry of Sisters "
— Andra, 12/23/2013 -
" read this in one day. a sequel to The Geometry of Sisters "
— Andra, 12/20/2013 -
" Good story, quick and easy to read. The descriptions of Capri made me want to book a trip and visit. I just had a hard time believing that Pell (one of the main characters) was only 16............. "
— Karen, 12/20/2013 -
" Not has good as the first Newport Beach series, but it was ok "
— Stacey, 12/6/2013 -
" This book was pretty slow at the beginning; very hard for me to get into. It got better as it went on. It was okay, but I've liked her other books much better. "
— Dena, 12/5/2013 -
" Luanne Rice has captured many of the feelings of a person separated from her parents at an early age. For many, these feelings are never identified. Amazing story. "
— Deanna, 12/3/2013 -
" Not my favorite Rice book, but I'll probaby continue to pick them up when I see a new one. I do like her stlye, just something about the subject and characters didn't hit me right. Her descriptions of Capri made me want to visit, though! "
— Joan, 11/20/2013 -
" I loved the emotional trip to Capri for Pellmto reunite with her mother. "
— Margaret, 11/13/2013 -
" Another good relationship story as a daughter reunites with her mother and discovers more about her own past. "
— Sue, 11/12/2013 -
" I am a very big Luanne Rice fan, and sadly I have to say I have liked this book the least. It's rather depressing for the most part, and I found it kind of odd. "
— Tonya, 8/25/2013 -
" I love books by Luanne Rice. They are almost always set on or near the water, a love of mine. This particular book is set on the island of Capri. The descriptions of the locale and the water really make me want to visit here!! "
— Karen, 12/20/2012 -
" The sequel to "The Geometry of Sisters" which I read first. Characters are compelling and names are always interesting "Pel" and "Beck" "
— Gail, 12/6/2012 -
" Audio - Another "Women's Lit," lite listening perfect for driving and listening with one ear. Abandoned daughters raised by father reunite with mother on Capri and renew their relationship. "
— Donna, 11/2/2012 -
" Luanne Rice is a quick easy read with some depth of character and a little historical research thrown in. Good fill in time when I am between books with more texture. "
— Linda, 10/10/2012 -
" Easy read, quaint story. The author did a nice job of fleshing out the characters and not just the main characters. "
— Tisha, 9/11/2012 -
" Really like Luanne Rice's books. Loved that she continues "Geometry of Sisters" with the other two sisters, Lucy & Pell. Story set on the island of Capri where mother and daughters reunite after 10 years. Read to find out what happens "
— Whikmn, 8/10/2012 -
" makes me want to go to Capri "
— Shana, 7/22/2012 -
" nice companion book to Geometry of Sisters. "
— Carolyn, 2/26/2012 -
" A bit repetitive. Liked that it was a direct sequel of Geometry of Sisters though, glad to see the story unfold further. I liked the actual story but I think it could have been tighter. "
— Lindsay, 2/9/2012 -
" I love Luanne Rice's novels and her descriptions on places and relationships... This one did not disappoint. "
— Jamie, 1/30/2012 -
" eh. nothing too much to write home about. easy-breezy, indeed, but i didn't find myself truly caring about the characters. better luck next time, perhaps. "
— Melissa, 12/27/2011 -
" Very slow reading for the first 100 pages. Almost stopped reading it. But so glad I finished this book. "
— Michelle, 12/9/2011 -
" not one of her best, but nicely written "
— Annalisa, 10/24/2011 -
" The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners is a rich, multi-layered book that deals with such compelling issues as family secrets, family roles, love and coming of age. I highly recommend it. "
— Dymphna, 10/17/2011 -
" Luanne Rice is terrific. This book is a continuation of Geometry of Sisters and is heart warming and poignant. I love her characters and stories. "
— Laurie, 10/14/2011 -
" eh. nothing too much to write home about. easy-breezy, indeed, but i didn't find myself truly caring about the characters. better luck next time, perhaps. "
— Melissa, 10/12/2011 -
" good story line about broken families. Starts in Capri and stays there. It's a good story about families, people accepting their lives "
— Susie, 10/9/2011 -
" Overall an enjoyable book. A little typical Luanne Rice style of family drama at the teen and adult level. Didn't wow me but I didn't have any trouble finishing it. "
— Elizabeth, 8/24/2011 -
" Read this years ago, but as I began reading "The Geometry of Sisters" and recognized the characters from this wonderful novel. "
— Academicsupport, 8/14/2011 -
" Loved it. This was a continuation of The Geometry of Sisters. This made a great audio book, kept me engaged and had a few twists I didn't see coming. "
— Heidi, 7/7/2011 -
" Not as good as some of her other books...a little too predictable, but still worth reading. "
— Diane, 5/25/2011 -
" I thought this was a really good book. I had to get used to the flipping from one character to another. I did not know this was the 2nd book. It did not seem like it. The story pretty much fills in the blanks. It is a good story. "
— Katherine, 5/6/2011 -
" I loved this book,,,mostly about the description of Capri,,the story line was really good to..but she is awesome about describing the surrounding..this is the second one to Geomatry of Sisters.. "
— Devon, 4/18/2011 -
" I loved this book,,,mostly about the description of Capri,,the story line was really good to..but she is awesome about describing the surrounding..this is the second one to Geomatry of Sisters.. "
— Devon, 4/18/2011 -
" Another good relationship story as a daughter reunites with her mother and discovers more about her own past. "
— Sue, 4/9/2011 -
" Another good relationship story as a daughter reunites with her mother and discovers more about her own past. "
— Sue, 4/9/2011 -
" A moving story of a young girl to reunite her and her sister with their mother. It is a warm and sad tale. It is a continuation of the characters in "The Geometry of Sisters". "
— Camandwmm, 4/2/2011 -
" A moving story of a young girl to reunite her and her sister with their mother. It is a warm and sad tale. It is a continuation of the characters in "The Geometry of Sisters". "
— Camandwmm, 4/2/2011 -
" Not one of Ms. Rice's best.....the characters were, for me, a bit hard to relate to. The descriptions of Capri were wonderful, though, and are making me look forward to my visit there this summer! "
— Denise, 2/18/2011 -
" Not one of Ms. Rice's best.....the characters were, for me, a bit hard to relate to. The descriptions of Capri were wonderful, though, and are making me look forward to my visit there this summer! "
— Denise, 2/18/2011 -
" Two disjointed families reunite one summer on a Mediterranean Island. "
— Mary, 2/8/2011 -
" Two disjointed families reunite one summer on a Mediterranean Island. "
— Mary, 2/8/2011 -
" I enjoy the way Luanne Rice unfolds a story!! And this was surely not a disappointment.....excellent read!! "
— Marilyn, 1/27/2011 -
" I enjoy the way Luanne Rice unfolds a story!! And this was surely not a disappointment.....excellent read!! "
— Marilyn, 1/27/2011 -
" makes me want to go to Capri "
— Shana, 1/25/2011 -
" makes me want to go to Capri "
— Shana, 1/25/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book as it took place in Capri! This author always makes me tear up and that's when I know that I like the book! :) "
— Cathey, 1/20/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book as it took place in Capri! This author always makes me tear up and that's when I know that I like the book! :) "
— Cathey, 1/20/2011 -
" It was OK. A bit on the juvenile adult side, though. "
— Dave, 1/8/2011 -
" It was OK. A bit on the juvenile adult side, though. "
— Dave, 1/8/2011 -
" eh. nothing too much to write home about. easy-breezy, indeed, but i didn't find myself truly caring about the characters. better luck next time, perhaps. "
— Melissa, 12/15/2010 -
" Really enjoyed this book even though it is not one I would have chosen for myself. "
— Sue, 12/15/2010 -
" Really enjoyed this book even though it is not one I would have chosen for myself. "
— Sue, 12/15/2010 -
" eh. nothing too much to write home about. easy-breezy, indeed, but i didn't find myself truly caring about the characters. better luck next time, perhaps. "
— Melissa, 12/15/2010 -
" This book was recommended by a friend. Each main character seems to be joined in the loss at a young age of a loved one. At times it is a bit contrived and some characters have no voice, even at a time of reconciliation. It is an interesting insight into the lifestyle of the Isle of Capri. "
— Pam, 12/5/2010 -
" This book was recommended by a friend. Each main character seems to be joined in the loss at a young age of a loved one. At times it is a bit contrived and some characters have no voice, even at a time of reconciliation. It is an interesting insight into the lifestyle of the Isle of Capri. "
— Pam, 12/5/2010
About Luanne Rice
Luanne Rice is the author of more than thirty novels, including the New York Times bestseller Sandcastles. Many of her novels have been made into movies for television. Her short stories, essays, and articles have been widely published in magazines and newspapers. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category.
About Blair Brown
Blair Brown is an award-winning narrator and a Tony Award–winning actor. Besides earning several AudioFile Earphones Award, she received the prestigious Audie Award for Best Fiction Narration in 2020. She has appeared on Broadway, in film, and on television in numerous miniseries and TV movies and received five Emmy Award nominations for her starring role in The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd.