close
The Last Runaway Audiobook, by Tracy Chevalier Play Audiobook Sample

The Last Runaway Audiobook

The Last Runaway Audiobook, by Tracy Chevalier Play Audiobook Sample
FlexPass™ Price: $17.95
$9.95 for new members!
(Includes UNLIMITED podcast listening)
  • Love your audiobook or we'll exchange it
  • No credits to manage, just big savings
  • Unlimited podcast listening
Add to Cart
$9.95/m - cancel anytime - 
learn more
OR
Regular Price: $20.95 Add to Cart
Read By: Kate Reading Publisher: Penguin Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.88 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: January 2013 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781101604397

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

18

Longest Chapter Length:

71:58 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

11:20 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

32:51 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

11

Other Audiobooks Written by Tracy Chevalier: > View All...

Publisher Description

New York Times bestselling author of Girl With a Pearl Earring and At the Edge of the Orchard Tracy Chevalier makes her first fictional foray into the American past in The Last Runaway, bringing to life the Underground Railroad and illuminating the principles, passions and realities that fueled this extraordinary freedom movement.  Honor Bright, a modest English Quaker, moves to Ohio in 1850--only to find herself alienated and alone in a strange land. Sick from the moment she leaves England, and fleeing personal disappointment, she is forced by family tragedy to rely on strangers in a harsh, unfamiliar landscape. Nineteenth-century America is practical, precarious, and unsentimental, and scarred by the continuing injustice of slavery. In her new home Honor discovers that principles count for little, even within a religious community meant to be committed to human equality.  However, Honor is drawn into the clandestine activities of the Underground Railroad, a network helping runaway slaves escape to freedom, where she befriends two surprising women who embody the remarkable power of defiance. Eventually she must decide if she too can act on what she believes in, whatever the personal costs.

Download and start listening now!

"Thoroughly enjoyable and my kindle version came with bonus explanatory notes on the background to the Underground Railway. I knew little about Quakers and found their faith interesting. If I hadn't just been floored by The Dovekeepers which I adored I am sure I would have given 5 stars."

— Ruth (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “A rich, well-researched novel.”

    — NPR
  • “Chevalier...has accomplished something...emotionally riveting...The protagonist’s vividly human individuality makes the author’s pitch-perfect set piece about our nation’s (ongoing) growing pains irresistible.”

    — Oprah.com
  • “A powerful journey brimming with color and drama, The Last Runaway is Tracy Chevalier’s vivid engagement with an iconic part of American history.”

    — Bookreporter.com
  • “Haunting...[A] thought-provoking, lyrical novel.”

    — Publishers Weekly
  • “Chevalier’s writing continues to have that can’t-put-it-down quality, and her change in settings from Europe to ninteenth-century frontier America is a welcome one. Highly recommended.”

    — Library Journal (starred review)
  • A rich, well-researched novel—it’s the story of one young woman becoming an American.

    — NPR, All Things Considered
  • Well-told and engrossing . . . With compelling characters and swift pacing, ¬The Last Runaway adds a worthy new chapter to a story that has consumed generations.

    — USA Today
  • Irresistible.

    — O, The Oprah Magazine“Chevalier admirably weaves historical figures and actual events into a compelling narrative.
  • Evokes entire landscapes...a master of voices.

    — New York Times Book Review (on Falling Angels)
  • Chevalier's signature talent lies in bringing alive the ordinary day-to-dayness of the past...lovingly evoked.

    — Elle (on Burning Bright)
  • Absorbing...[Chevalier] creates a world reminiscent of a Vermeer interior: suspended in a particular moment, it transcends its time and place.

    — The New Yorker (on Girl With a Pearl Earring)
  • Chevalier's ringing prose is as radiantly efficient as well-tended silver.

    — Entertainment Weekly (on Falling Angels).

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller
  • Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
  • An AudioFile Editors’ Pick for New Titles in April 2013

The Last Runaway Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.5714285714285716 out of 53.5714285714285716 out of 53.5714285714285716 out of 53.5714285714285716 out of 53.5714285714285716 out of 5 (3.57)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 9
3 Stars: 9
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 listened to the audiobook- it's a good production, a little slow but still enjoyable...much like Remarkable Creatures in style. "

    — Deb, 2/19/2014
  • 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 think this book started out slow, but kept me interested and then I could not put it down. Enjoyed it!!! "

    — Patty, 2/13/2014
  • 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

    " I love Tracy Chevalier and I read most of her books. This is her worst yet, in my opinion "

    — Rachel, 2/1/2014
  • 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 particularly like early American fiction that tells a woman's story. This was a great immigrant story. If you like historical fiction you will love this book. "

    — Margret, 1/28/2014
  • 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

    " Not that into it "

    — Laurie, 1/17/2014
  • 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

    " Very interesting and enjoyable. I liked the main character and found the historical detail convincing. I felt like I had some sense of what living in the time period would be like. I also enjoyed the descriptions of small-town 19th century Ohio. "

    — Patty, 1/16/2014
  • 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

    " Very interesting to think/learn about how different life would be if it was 1850 "

    — Reva, 1/15/2014
  • 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

    " This book was very interesting. I learned some more about the Underground Railroad. I really enjoyed it. "

    — Lori, 1/13/2014
  • 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

    " I did enjoy this book somewhat. However it lacked something. It was very descriptive in certain aspects and vague in others. At one point I thought about closing it and moving on to something else but for whatever reason I didnt. "

    — Melanie, 12/31/2013
  • 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

    " well written. A good bed time read. "

    — Mole, 11/30/2013
  • 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

    " I love Tracy Chevalier and read everything that she writes, but I find this one a bit disappointing. It was somewhat predictable and just left me wanting more. "

    — Michelle, 11/26/2013
  • 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

    " So different from her other books in terms of time and place. I didn't know a lot about the Quakers' role in the underground railroad or Quakers in general, the quilting, customs, etc. I really enjoyed the story. "

    — Jhwood31, 10/21/2013
  • 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

    " A quick, interesting read (if a tiny bit predictable). It is well-done. "

    — Andrea, 9/12/2013
  • 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

    " Interesting through the entire book. I enjoyed this above The Girl with the Pearl Earring. "

    — Melissa, 8/26/2013
  • 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

    " First novel I've read in ages and it was a page turner. Interesting insight into the railroad helping slaves escape from the South to Canada in the Nineteenth Century. Not as intellectually tight as previous works but I enjoyed it nonetheless! "

    — Helena, 7/25/2013
  • 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'm kind of torn on how to rate this book. Her writing is usually so rich and I feel like this book was a downgrade of it. It definitely kept my interest but I kept waiting for more substance and just felt like something was missing and couldn't help feeling there were tinges of cliches in the book. "

    — Oceantide74, 6/28/2013
  • 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

    " 3 1/2 stars. Chevalier again has written an excellent novel with a complex plot and superb characters. Well written and a page turner. "

    — Veronica, 5/9/2013
  • 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

    " 3-1/2 stars. Not quite Girl with a Pearl Earring, but pretty good. Set in America rather than Europe, so a very different feel. "

    — Abcdarian, 4/21/2013
  • 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

    " Very descriptive, and a quick, enjoyable read, but lacking the depth that I expected regarding the Underground Railroad and life as a Quaker in early Ohio. I wanted to be immersed in this story and time period and instead felt that I was experiencing the Lifetime version. "

    — Kellie, 4/20/2013
  • 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

    " Engaging historical fiction with only some predictability. I love those Quakers and their convictions. "

    — Nomi, 4/4/2013
  • 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

    " I thoroughly enjoyed this book, while learning a little history too. "

    — Rachel, 1/26/2013

About Tracy Chevalier

Tracy Chevalier is the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, including Girl with a Pearl Earring, which has been translated into forty-three languages and made into an Oscar-nominated film. A Single Thread was named a Best Book of the Year by Time, USA Today, and seven other media.

About Kate Reading

Kate Reading, named an AudioFile Golden Voice, has recorded hundreds of audiobooks across many genres, over a thirty–year plus career and won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. Among other awards, she has been recognized as an AudioFile Magazine Voice of the Century, Narrator of the Year, Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy, and winner of an Publisher’s Weekly’s Listen-Up Award. She records at her home studio, Madison Productions, Inc., in Maryland.