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The Given Day Audiobook, by Dennis Lehane Play Audiobook Sample

The Given Day Audiobook

The Given Day Audiobook, by Dennis Lehane Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Michael Boatman Publisher: HarperAudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 16.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 12.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Joe Coughlin Series Release Date: October 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780061802782

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

168

Longest Chapter Length:

11:56 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:33 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

08:32 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

15

Other Audiobooks Written by Dennis Lehane: > View All...

Publisher Description

From Dennis Lehane, New York Times bestselling author of Mystic River and Shutter Island, comes the paperback edition of The Given Day, an unflinching family epic that captures the political unrest of a nation caught between a well-patterned past and an unpredictable future. This beautifully written novel of American history tells the story of two families—one black, one white—swept up in a maelstrom of revolutionaries and anarchists, immigrants and ward bosses, Brahmins and ordinary citizens, all engaged in a battle for survival and power at the end of World War I.

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"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was about the early 1900's in Boston; i.e., Babe Ruth's Boston days, the Plague, the Boston Police strike, the early start of the unions, prohibition, Italian North end, the Irish, etc. The characters were intriguing and very real. I recommend it. "

— Kate (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “[A] massive, enormously readable new novel…A huge leap forward for Lehane.” 

    — New York Times Book Review
  • “Passionate and powerful.” 

    — Chicago Tribune
  • “This may be Lehane’s finest work.” 

    — USA Today
  • “In a splendid flowering of the talent previously demonstrated in his crime fiction…a vision of redemption and a triumph of the human spirit. In short, this nail-biter carries serious moral gravity.” 

    — Publishers Weekly
  • “Dennis Lehane’s epic story of one family in post-WWI Boston is truly a massive achievement…Narrator Michael Boatman delivers a solid performance filled with the rich elements of the story itself—layered characters, moving dialogue, and a powerful message.”

    — AudioFile

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller
  • Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
  • A 2008 New York Times Best Book for Fiction
  • A 2008 Publishers Weekly Best Book for Fiction
  • A USA Today bestseller
  • A 2008 Christian Science Monitor Book of the Year for Fiction

The Given Day Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00)
5 Stars: 13
4 Stars: 8
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 1
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: 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 was a fascinating read. Pretty historically accurate. I'd put it in the class with Ken Follett's "The Pillars of the Earth" and "World without End." "

    — Charlie, 2/17/2014
  • 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

    " Once again Dennis Lehane comes through. "

    — Leslie, 2/16/2014
  • 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 Lehane's usual gritty drama/mystery genre but a really gripping historical fiction with great characters. "

    — Joanne, 2/5/2014
  • 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

    " As always, Lehane's skill with dialogue lifts this tale of Boston's working class from melodrama to a high stakes story of good vs evil. Nora's undoing is worthy of Henry James. "

    — Irene, 2/3/2014
  • 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

    " This book provided compelling characters in a compelling time in history but the interactions with historical figures and events seemed forced. The actual writing was elegant at times, but I somehow felt the author was winking at me about the improbable coincidences and intersections a little too hard. And for all that violence, not to give anything away, but the end seemed like a tightly wound happy pill that was awfully tough to swallow. It was a not nearly as good attempt at Ragtime. "

    — Leah, 1/19/2014
  • 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

    " good time period read but not captivating enough to make a page turner. took time to get through "

    — Dona, 1/18/2014
  • 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

    " My first Lehane book. It was very good. I will look for more of his books. "

    — Linda, 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

    " A very good historical fiction novel based in Boston in 1919. Lehane's characters are always so well-thought out though his stories get a little overdrawn. "

    — Ally, 12/19/2013
  • 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

    " Great book - highly recommend! "

    — Della, 12/17/2013
  • 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 enjoyed the characters and the history. The storyline got a little too political and slow. "

    — Abby, 12/16/2013
  • 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 loved it. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time, and I hated to finish it. It's a long one--700 pages--but well-worth it. "

    — Kelley, 12/11/2013
  • 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

    " Absolutely awesome! Did not want it to end. "

    — Jenene, 12/4/2013
  • 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

    " Honestly, one of the greatest books I've ever read "

    — Ben, 11/13/2013
  • 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

    " Damn fine read. The babe Ruth stuff is priceless. And that game at the beginning against Luther and his team is some of the best baseball writing ever. Beyond that it's a tough story, and great history. "

    — Tom, 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

    " Pretty much a clinic on how to keep the reader engaged through multiple points of view and overlapping story lines. "

    — Ed, 4/26/2013
  • 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

    " Epic, thrilling, captivating and intelligent . "

    — Red, 1/31/2013
  • 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

    " Did not like it at all. Couldn't get past the first quarter. "

    — Carol, 10/14/2012
  • 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

    " Great if you're a fan of historical fiction! "

    — Hayley, 9/27/2012
  • 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

    " good but the last 100 pages or so were weak "

    — David, 2/1/2012
  • 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

    " By far Lehane's best work...I am a fan of historical fiction and this book is done in a manner that is commendable. "

    — Tim, 12/9/2011
  • 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

    " It was a bit slow at times and I didn't really care for the chapters that centered on Babe Ruth. But it had good character development and was an interesting story overall. Good pick Camy! "

    — Desiree, 11/17/2011
  • 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

    " Very good read - twists and turns - and touches on many things in Boston around 1920's. Keeps you reading away. Enjoyed it! "

    — Marie, 10/6/2011
  • 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

    " Good, but not as engaging as some of his other books. Lots of great historical references though. "

    — Nicole, 7/3/2011
  • 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

    " I just love the way this guy writes! "

    — Betsy, 5/21/2011
  • 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

    " Fiction and non fiction come together in this novel, hope Lehane will write more books like this. "

    — Maarten, 5/17/2011
  • 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

    " Too much going on in this book. The story is really about an irish police man and a black man who comes to Boston. Their stories are engaging. Why Babe Ruth is given so much ink is beyound me. It was easy to read this but I thought it was a poorly composed story. "

    — Kristin, 5/7/2011
  • 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

    " It's not the kind of book that makes me want to read it without stopping, but when reading it a chapter or two at a time it's pretty interesting. It made me reflect on a lot of issues, including racism, family, courage and real life where what is meant well doesn't always end well. "

    — Kaylol, 4/30/2011
  • 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

    " Completely different from his previous books and much broader in scope, this should win Lehane new legions of fans. So much history about Boston race and labor issues and yet it's so much more than that. Great characters and great situations. "

    — Jeanne, 4/19/2011
  • 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

    " "What a wonderful story. Everyone to whom I have recommended this book has enjoyed it. Really-read it!" "

    — Deb, 4/18/2011
  • 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

    " What a wonderful story. Everyone to whom I have recommended this book has enjoyed it. Really-read it! "

    — Deb, 4/17/2011

About Dennis Lehane

Dennis Lehane is the author of numerous novels, including several New York Times bestsellers, as well as a collection of short stories and a play. Mystic River was a finalist for the PEN/Winship Award, and it won the Anthony Award, the Barry Award for Best Novel, and the Massachusetts Book Award in Fiction, given by the Massachusetts Center for the Book.

About Michael Boatman

Michael Boatman is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and twice winner of the prestigious Audie Award for narration. He is a versatile television, film, and stage actor whose work on the hit TV show Spin City garnered him a GLAAD Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and nominations for two NAACP Image Awards. For his work playing Stanley Babson on the long-running HBO series ARLI$$, he was nominated five times for the Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.