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The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno: A Novel Audiobook, by Ellen Bryson Play Audiobook Sample

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno: A Novel Audiobook

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno: A Novel Audiobook, by Ellen Bryson Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Jeff Woodman Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 8.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 6.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: June 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781449828363

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

30

Longest Chapter Length:

43:30 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:01 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

25:01 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Publisher Description

Ellen Bryson's first novel, The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno earned instant critical acclaim. This first-person narrative follows one of P.T. Barnum's socalled freaks on a mesmerizing journey of self-discovery. Bartholomew is a feature attraction at Barnum's American Museum as the world's thinnest man. He enjoys providing audiences with a glimpse at their inner selves reflected in his emaciated figure. Now, however, after a decade in the museum, Bartholomew finds his contentment waning while his desires to travel and explore grow. His opportunity arrives on the eve of President Lincoln's funeral, when a mysterious veiled woman appears, accompanied by Mr. Barnum. Everyone is captivated by this stranger-including the master showman himself, who enlists Bartholomew to monitor her movements and report back to him. America of 1865 is laid bare as Bartholomew's insightful gaze takes in the world around him. Through Jeff Woodman's masterful performance, listeners become immersed in a tale of love, freedom, and the heart's deepest longings.

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"Even though it has been compared to Water for Elephants (a great book too), it really stands on its own. Set right after Lincoln was assassinated, it tells the story of PT Barnum's Curiosities and what their lives were like working in his museum in NYC. Highly recommend it! "

— Heather (5 out of 5 stars)

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.0476190476190474 out of 53.0476190476190474 out of 53.0476190476190474 out of 53.0476190476190474 out of 53.0476190476190474 out of 5 (3.05)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 7
2 Stars: 4
1 Stars: 2
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: 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

    " This novel was narrated by one of P.T. Barnum's "regular Prodigies." Parts of the plot were quite predictable, but a decent enough summer read. I was hoping that it would be as gripping as Chang and Eng, one of my favorite novels. "

    — Krysia, 2/11/2014
  • 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

    " While I liked this book, I wish more would have been done with the ending. "

    — Brandi, 1/30/2014
  • 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'd have liked it more if I hadn't guessed the ending . I did think it dragged a bit, but was well written. "

    — Linda, 1/24/2014
  • 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

    " A frustrating book that I wanted to be better than it was. On the one hand, the central characters--Bartholomew the thin man, Matina the fat lady, and Alley the strongman--are well drawn, and Ms. Bryson clearly did her research in regards to Barnum's museum and the lives of circus freaks. On the other hand, the novel revolves around two big "A-ha" moments that are telegraphed from halfway through, making the novel's resolution feel like an anticlimax. It was a fairly compelling read, but it wasn't the type of novel that makes me say "I've got to read her next book." "

    — Chris, 1/21/2014
  • 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

    " Wanted so much from this book because I love the period and the fascinating subject matter. After trudging through the bulk of it, just to skip to the last chapter like other reviewers, I found my self thinking "How could so little be done with so much?" "

    — Harp, 1/18/2014
  • 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 love this book! It reminds me of Water for Elephants! "

    — Julie, 1/9/2014
  • 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

    " great book during the depression era. circus museum life type. I liked it. Was pretty quirky and odd. "

    — Andra, 12/2/2013
  • 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

    " Getting past the weird, it was the best depiction of the workings of a personality that I remember reading. "

    — Zuany, 6/15/2013
  • 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

    " It was interesting to hear about the history of the museum, but this was not my favorite :P "

    — Lili, 12/11/2012
  • 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

    " If you liked "Water For Elephants" and "Geek Love", you will enjoy this although it is more like "Geek Love Lite". Well written, excellent period piece and a surprise twist that I didn't see coming at all. "

    — Marla, 11/14/2012
  • 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

    " About halfway through, I felt this was terribly derivative of 'Water for Elephants.'. It picked up, though, and there were some interesting plot twists. "

    — Kerri, 4/19/2012
  • 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

    " Not my favorite book overall but liked the insight to P.T. Barnum. Would like to learn more about the "freak" of the circus and the showmanship of Barnam. The book was slow, gave it away to another reader and told her if she didn't get "into it" to read the last four chapters to finish it. "

    — Katie, 11/10/2011
  • 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

    " great book during the depression era. circus museum life type. I liked it. Was pretty quirky and odd. "

    — Andra, 5/11/2011
  • 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

    " I could have lived without reading this. "

    — Notforkitties, 2/18/2011
  • 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

    " I was hoping for something so much more. Perhaps more in the likeness of Like Water for Elephants, but this book did not live up to my expectations. "

    — Jennifer, 2/16/2011
  • 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

    " I came to the decision to not finish this book. I read up to page 58 and it took well over a week to get that far. The writing was good - but the story line didn't grab my interest. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity of receiving an early reviewers copy. "

    — Lynda, 2/7/2011
  • 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

    " LOVED this book. I *think* I'd worked out the end, but it didn't matter. Awesome :)<br/>Proper review to come ;) "

    — Terri-Jane, 2/4/2011
  • 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 well written, enjoyable read, some twists in a fairly predictable narrative arc. Great first novel. "

    — Scott, 1/29/2011
  • 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

    " It wasn't as good as Water for Elephants, but it kept me interested. I've always been interested in P.T. Barnum and museums of weirdness; The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno definitely met my expectations for those things. "

    — Betsy, 1/11/2011
  • 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

    " Where do I find these books? Dang. "

    — Donna, 1/3/2011
  • 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

    " Really enjoyed reading this historical fiction. "

    — Abranch71, 11/26/2010

About Jeff Woodman

Jeff Woodman is an actor and narrator. He is a winner of the prestigious Audie Award and a six-time finalist. He has received twenty Earphones Awards and was named the 2008 Best Voice in Fiction & Classics, as well as one of the Fifty Greatest Voices of the Century by AudioFile magazine. As an actor, he originated the title role in Tennessee Williams’ The Notebook of Trigorin and won the S. F. Critics’ Circle Award for his performance in An Ideal Husband. In addition to numerous theater credits on and off Broadway, his television work includes Sex and the City, Law & Order, and Cosby.