Martin Marten

A Novel

By: Brian Doyle

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Dave is 14 years old, living with his family in a cabin on Oregon's Mount Hood (or as he prefers to call it, like the Multnomah tribal peoples once did, Wy'east). Dave will soon enter high school, with adulthood and a future not far off - a future away from his mother, father, his precocious younger sister, and the wilderness where he's lived all his life.

And Dave is not the only one approaching adulthood and its freedoms on Wy'east that summer. Martin, a pine marten (of the mustelid family), is leaving his own mother and siblings and setting off on his own as well.

As Dave and Martin set off on their own adventures, their lives, paths, and trails will cross, weave, and blend. Why not come with them as they set forth into the forest and crags of Oregon's soaring mountain wilderness in search of life, family, friends, enemies, wonder, mystery, and good things to eat?

Martin Marten is a braided coming-of-age tale like no other, told in Brian Doyle's joyous, rollicking style.

©2015 Brian Doyle (P)2017 Tantor

A revelation of of sorrowful joy and beauty

It is a travesty that we were given only so many writings of Brian Doyle but each one is a universe of excellence.

Every word was a treat!

Such a treasure to hear the beautiful narration of the wonderful words of this book. Every character, every conversation, every setting was perfect. I listen to lots of books of many genres and I can’t say I have been this comfortable or became one with a book as I have with this one. Thank you.

No worries

Loved it! Thought it was over about half way through and was apprehensive about the author's ability to keep me engrossed. Should never have worried. warm and cuddly experience.

A beautifully written tale

Doyle once again captured a true sense of communal harmony with nature, creating a balanced perspective that shares both human and animal personas. The warmth, authenticity and humor expressed in his storytelling is totally engaging. This writer will be sorely missed by so many devoted readers.

Captivated to the end

I liked the feeling of the book. The characters just walked right in & made themselves at home in my world. I had read & loved Mink River so was fully prepared to love this one. Mr. Doyle is a gifted wordsmith & obviously knows a great deal about wild life. I learned something on nearly every page. He makes us aware of our responsibilities for our earth without preaching. Well done.

The give, the take.

I love the world Mr. Doyle creates and how he informs us of, invites us in, and paints, what that world is with his unique voice. I really like spending time there

The characters, their interactions with each other and their world is a wonderful place to be in and experience.

The only criticism I'd offer, is at times the strength of all of that is slightly diminished, to me, by staying in the depth of the feeling too long, by over articulation of that feeling, or moment, in a way that, again to me, oversells it in places that may take away from what is being conveyed.

He walks up to that line often, but backs away in time. That’s a strength of his IMHO

At the end of this story, for my taste, it spent a bit more time in, and it over articulated/explained things we already knew, or could infer by the dance and actions of the characters he so richly painted in the story previously.

That said I not only still love this book, this story, this world, and the way the writer gives us all of those things, I also realize and respect the fact that Mr. Doyle is an incredibly accomplished writer and I'm a guy basically giving a book Yelp;)

Can't wait to read Mr. Doyle's next book.

A wonderful story!

Brian Doyle hits the mark again with this gem of a book in which multiple characters, animal and human alike, discover themselves. His deep love and reverence for nature and all things Oregon shines through. Characters are quirky and likable, each with their own philosophical bent. The narrator was excellent in getting the nuances of the story across!

View nature in a different way.

Good story. Author creates a way for the reader to think of all of the individual stories and perspectives of everything around us.

I don't understand the overuse of the word "infinitesimally " that is used throughout the book.

I must now make it a goal to put eyes upon a Marten before my time is through in this world.

I never get tired of listening to this story.

The narrator perfectly creates characters without being garish. The setting, the descriptions, the animals and people living together and separately. One of my favorite characters is Edwin the horse.

Infinitesimally infinitesimal

Infinitesimal in its romanticism. Cute, with fairly lovable characters, a mountainside picture is painted. Many a plot could have thickened. Good Job, Mr Baldree,Thank you.