The View from Castle Rock

By: Alice Munro

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

In stories that are more personal than any that she has written before, Alice Munro pieces her family history into gloriously imagined fiction.

A young boy is taken to Edinburgh Castle Rock, where his father assures him that on a clear day he can see America, and he catches a glimpse of his father's dream. In stories that follow, as the dream becomes a reality, two sisters-in-law experience very different kinds of passion on the long voyage to the New World. Other stories take place in more familiar Munro territory, the towns and countryside around Lake Huron, where the past shows through the present like the traces of a glacier on the landscape, and strong emotions stir just beneath the surface of ordinary comings and goings.

Evocative, gripping, sexy, unexpected–these stories reflect a depth and richness of experience. The View from Castle Rock is a brilliant achievement from one of the finest writers of our time.

Critic reviews

Praise for The View From Castle Rock

“Break[s] every rule ever taught in a writing seminar, setting up a master class along the sidelines . . . Yet it shows, as usual, how to draw gasps from other writers by defying the laws of gravitas as effortlessly as Michael Jordan defied those of gravity.” —Pico Iyer, Newsweek Magazine

“Sublime . . . Late in her career, and late in life, Alice Munro seems unencumbered by the laurels heaped upon her. She continues to charge forward, shining a light on what is most fearsome and true.” —Jennifer Haigh, Chicago Tribune

“In her astonishing new collection, Munro delves into the past . . . Result: a far-ranging, richly symphonic suite of stories that outshines even Munro’s earlier masterworks.”
—Michael Upchruch, The Seattle Times

“Munro is the illusionist whose trick can never be exposed. And that is because there is no smoke, there are no mirrors. Munro really does know magic: how to summon the spirits and the emotions that animate our lives.” —Geraldine Brooks, the front page of The Washington Post Book World

Alice Munro is always good, but this isn't her bes

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

In my opinion Munro is a good story teller, and I have yet to read something she has written that I did not enjoy. However, this partially autobiographical work was not one of her best.

If you’ve listened to books by Alice Munro before, how does this one compare?

My least favorite.

Which scene was your favorite?

The last chapter was my favorite.

Who was the most memorable character of The View from Castle Rock and why?

I felt that the narrator was the most memorable character. She holds the work together and in the end we learn about her life, which to me was the most interesting of all.

Somewhere between memoir and fiction -- and lovely

I have read or listened to many stories and like her work very much. And this did not disappoint. It is basically somewhere between family history, memoir, and fiction. As usual, her writing is brilliant, as is her powers of observation and of character development. It is a series of linked stories that come together well to trace the history of her family, or of families like hers. Definitely worth reading/listening to.

Some previous reviewers found fault with the reader. It is true that her Scottish accent was unconvincing in the beginning, but overall I found her reading fine, She captured the characters and her reading was clear and unobtrusive.

Personal history of Scottish Canadian Heritage

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I believe the author is sharing with the listening community a bit of her personal family history. This is an engaging read.

Entrancing

I loved hearing this story of a life and a family. In a sense it is everyone's story here in the 'new world'.

Amazing storyteller!

Searched for this author after repeatedly viewing the movie written by her entitled "Away From Her" Stories encouraging the budding genealogist like mysejf to add narrative to my research. For some reason, I cannot follow the individual stories. Technical difficulties. Love the author always.