The Violent Bear It Away

By: Flannery O’ Connor

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

First published in 1960, The Violent Bear It Away is now a landmark in American literature. It is a dark and absorbing example of the gothic sensibility and bracing satirical voice that are united in Flannery O'Conner's work. In it, the orphaned Francis Marion Tarwater and his cousin, Rayber, defy the prophecy of their dead uncle - that Tarwater will become a prophet and will baptize Rayber's young son, Bishop. A series of struggles ensue, as Tarwater fights an internal battle against his innate faith and the voices calling him to be a prophet, while Rayber tries to draw Tarwater into a more “reasonable” modern world. Both wrestle with the legacy of their dead relatives and lay claim to Bishop's soul.

O'Connor observes all this with an astonishing combination of irony and compassion, humor and pathos. The result is a novel whose range and depth reveal a brilliant and innovative writer acutely alert to where the sacred lives and where it does not.

©1960 Flannery O'Connor (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“There is very little contemporary fiction which touches the level of Flannery O’Connor at her best.” ( New York Herald Tribune)

“I am sure her books will live on and on in American literature.” (Elizabeth Bishop, American poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner)

Excellent

O'Connor is an excellent writer. This audiobook had a good narrator who was able to capture the tone of the book.

Mark Bramhall is phenomenal

Where does The Violent Bear It Away rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the best.

What did you like best about this story?

The narration really helped to capture the grotesque nature of the characters.

What about Mark Bramhall’s performance did you like?

The manner in which he made the different characters come to life.

Classic Flannery

What made the experience of listening to The Violent Bear It Away the most enjoyable?

the realism in the telling of the story

What did you like best about this story?

the almost expected outcome of this freight train coming at full throttle

What does Mark Bramhall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

excellent characterizations - outstanding performance

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Violent Bear It Away

Any additional comments?

A good reading adds great value to the story - it is truly a performance

Thought provoking story

Strange and beautiful story with well told narration. Makes you wonder how a nice southern gal could write such complex and troubled characters.

fantastic storytelling

Fantastic storytelling with an under developed conclusion. Really very worthwhile story on the great themes of faith and reason.