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The River King Audiobook
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(3.01) - 5,375 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
For more than a century, the small town of Haddan, Massachusetts, has been divided, as if a line was drawn down the center of Main Street, separating those born and bred in the village from those who attend the prestigious Haddan School. But one October night the two worlds are thrust together due to an inexplicable death, and the town’s divided history is revealed in all its complexity. The lives of everyone involved are unraveled: from Carlin Leander, the fifteen-year-old girl who is as loyal as she is proud, to Betsy Chase, a woman running from her own destiny; from August Pierce, a boy who unexpectedly finds courage in his darkest hour, to Abel Grey, the police officer who refuses to let unspeakable actions—both past and present—slide by without notice. Entertainment Weekly has declared that Alice Hoffman’s worlds are “replete with miracles” and The Boston Globe has praised her “iridescent prose, taut narrative suspense, and alluring atmosphere.”
“An inventive, romantic, and insightful storyteller, Hoffman touches everyone and everything with her magic wand, illuminating the power of emotion and exquisite mysteries of life.” —Booklist
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"An absolute joy of a read, a page turner from the first word to the last. The strength is in the magnificent story, but Ms Hoffman is not an objective narrator- the fun is in the way she judges when she feels like it, and can use the pen like a dagger on her villains. Dozens of characters and wonderful descriptions - especially in the passing of seasons add to the richness"
— Mary (5 out of 5 stars)
The River King Listener Reviews
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" Excellent! I love Alice Hoffman! "
— Tracy, 2/19/2014 -
" I bought this book--a small-town mystery and message of morality--because Jodi Picoult, one of my favorite authors, said Alice Hoffman is one of her greatest inspirations. "The River King" being my introduction to Alice Hoffman, I found the plot disappointing. It lack the twists and turns I've come to expect with Picoult's books. Perhaps the story is a bit too predictable? It starts slow and gets more interesting about halfway through but by the end I was underwhelmed. I like Hoffman's style enough, and characters Carlin and Gus are certainly memorable, so I am looking forward to reading of one of her other books .. perhaps Practical Magic or Here on Earth. "
— Jaime, 2/13/2014 -
" Loved this book, my fav Alice Hoffman. Bullying at it's worst with tragic outcome and a bit of supernatural thrown in. "
— Debbie, 2/11/2014 -
" This book was sad and disturbing at many levels. Many of the characters were repulsive at best. However, I think that is exactly was the author wanted readers to feel. If you're looking for a feel good book with everything neatly tied up at the end, then this is not the book for you. However it is a book that will make you think about people and rouse up some feelings for justice to be served.It is preciously these feeling that made this a good read for me.I would give it a 3.5 stars. "
— Pampa, 2/10/2014 -
" I really liked this book. I wasn't sure after reading Practical Magic and Ice Queen. I can't wait to read Blue Diary. "
— Kathy, 2/9/2014 -
" This was slow in the beginning. Once the characters were developed the story was more intruging. Some of it was almost sci-fi but I just put that aside and enjoyed the book. "
— Arlene, 2/7/2014 -
" Probably more like a 3.75. Looking forward to reading more by Alice Hoffman. "
— Natalie, 1/26/2014 -
" An interesting read, but you have to suspend reality to go with the premise. "
— Sandy, 1/24/2014 -
" One of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. One of the few books that I made it all the way through when my 2nd son was a baby. "
— elissa, 1/17/2014 -
" good book, quick read. I have never read this author before. story takes place at a prep school in a small NE town, with some supernatural elements added in......... "
— Susan, 1/11/2014 -
" This is up there with one of my all time favorite books. I think it takes me back to being an angsty teen. "
— Ice, 12/8/2013 -
" This is a somewhat dark novel, but non the less a powerful one, it goes into the deep dark places of what is unknown or uncertain. The chracters are vivid and tragic, how wonderful! "
— Matlynn, 12/4/2013 -
" Such a different book and writing style. Loved it and want to read more of her books. "
— Susan, 10/24/2013 -
" I enjoyed this book very much. In fact, I think it might be my favorite by Hoffman "
— Kerry, 9/18/2013 -
" hard for me to get into. "
— Barbara, 9/16/2013 -
" Just finished this, it was very engrossing and a pretty quick read for me. It's a bit of murder mystery, a bit love story, a quite a bit of small town gossip and character development. It was a bit shallow at times and predictable which I don't really like even though it was entertaining. "
— Mariah, 9/3/2013 -
" This is my favorite Hoffman book. I think it could easily be taught in high school with a lively discussion of crime and punishment and morality. Years later, I still remember the plot. "
— Denick, 8/13/2013 -
" This is one of my favorite books of all time. It's hard to take, some of it, but it's beautiful and evocative and brilliant all at once. "
— Lauren, 8/4/2013 -
" I apologize to Alice's fans out there but could never really connect to the story. :( "
— Rebecca, 4/18/2013 -
" Interesting story but there is a supernatural element. You may not like it if you can't suspend your disbelief. "
— Ellen, 9/17/2012 -
" Absolutely loved this book. Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite authors. She incorporates an other worldly aspect to this mysterious story of outcasts, love, and human emotion. "
— Nancee, 8/6/2012 -
" wasw good but terrible ending-so important and thats why it lost TWO stars. Otherwise this is one of the good over 1000 lexiles i've read. "
— Hihihhi, 4/12/2012 -
" Really eerie but a great book "
— Emsy, 9/21/2011 -
" This book started off really promising, got pretty good and then unfortunately still had about 100 pages left where nothing really happens. "
— Corin.garbe.2, 7/16/2011 -
" One of my all time favorite books. "
— Demetra, 6/14/2011 -
" this is the first Alice Hoffman I ever read, and its still my favorite! "
— Collett, 5/8/2011 -
" I love Alice Hoffman's writing imagination and yet, this was sad, and disappointing. I wanted something else to happen and it didn't. Evocative. "
— Kani, 4/19/2011 -
" Was a good book, I love the mystical elements that she adds to this book but just didn't like the end...it just didn't fit right for me. "
— Shawn, 4/11/2011 -
" While I enjoy the lyrical quality of Hoffman's language and the study of human nature that is often highlighted, I have a hard time getting involved in a book in which the characters are so lightly drawn. "
— Joan, 3/8/2011 -
" An interesting plot with story well told but I was disappointed in the ending...perhaps I wanted appropriate retribution for the evildoers....in any case...I felt that too many loose ends needed tidying up. "
— Dot, 3/5/2011 -
" This was a very fascinating, depressing, but beautiful book.<br/>The Chocolate War meets A Separate Peace meets Hangman's Curse meets Anne Of Green Gables meets The Hardy Boys. "
— Jillian, 3/2/2011 -
" As I near the end of this book I realize I haven't been able to put it down despite the pall of death and regret that haunts this story.<br/><br/>Done and on to the next Alice Hoffman... I absolutely love the magic and nature she weaves into her stories. "
— Christine, 3/2/2011 -
" A slightly predictable summer reading book. First Hoffman book and probably last Hoffman book for me. Liked the characters but she just seemed rushed to fit them all together. What year does this take place? Go figure. "
— carl, 2/21/2011 -
" hard for me to get into. "
— Barbara, 2/3/2011 -
" I love Alice Hoffman, but could not get into this one. "
— Lisa, 1/12/2011 -
" Such a different book and writing style. Loved it and want to read more of her books. "
— Susan, 1/10/2011 -
" This is one of my favorite books of all time. It's hard to take, some of it, but it's beautiful and evocative and brilliant all at once. "
— Lauren, 12/30/2010 -
" a lesson in looking deeper than one's eyes. Enjoyed the book a lot of variety w/o to many "words".... "
— Toni, 11/30/2010
About Alice Hoffman
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including the Practical Magic series and the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, among others. Eight of her novels have made the New York Times bestsellers list.
About Laural Merlington
Laural Merlington is an audiobook narrator with over two hundred titles to her credit and a winner of multiple Earphones Awards. An Audie Award nominee, she has also directed over one hundred audiobooks. She has performed and directed for thirty years in theaters throughout the country. In addition to her extensive theater and voice-over work, she teaches college in her home state of Michigan.