Taft

A Novel

By: Ann Patchett

Narrated by: JD Jackson

A New York Times Notable Book

“As resonant as a blues song. . . . Expect miracles when you read Ann Patchett’s fiction.”—New York Times Book Review

An ex-jazz drummer wants nothing more than to be a good father in this moving family novel by the New York Times best-selling author of The Dutch House.

When John Nickel's lover takes away his son, Nickel is left only with his Beale Street bar in Memphis. He hires a young waitress named Fay Taft, who brings with her a desperate, dangerous brother, Carl, and the possibility of new intimacy. Nickel finds himself consumed with Fay and Carl's dead father—Taft—obsessing over and reconstructing the life of a man he never met.

A stunning artistic achievement, Taft confirms Ann Patchett's standing as one of the most gifted writers of her generation and reminds us of our deepest instincts to protect the people we love.

Excellent performance

The actor’s performance is one of the best I’ve heard on Audible with beautiful accents to match the characters.

I did find it challenging that there was no verbal cue between the present and past but after awhile I was more attuned to it.

A great story.

She’s the best

I love this author. I can’t stop listening to her books. Narrator mispronounces her name!

When is she writing the ending?

Intriguing book with a terrible ending.... make that no ending! I love Ann Patchett’s books. And at the beginning and end the narrator called her Ann Pratchett at least four times. What’s up with not correcting that?

Trouble with the plot

I realize this is one of AP's earlier works. Her writing is beautiful, but I had such a hard time with parts of this story line. I don't want to give anything away, but I will say, despite his many good qualities, I found it difficult "like" the main character, John Nichols. And the ending did not feel like an ending at all. Still, I became engrossed in the story. The narration was well-done despite the repeated mispronunciation of Ms. Patchett's name during the intro and credits!

Great narrator! Gentle thoughtful story.

A favorite author, and I’ll be looking for more books from her. I hated it to end but it wrapped up well.