The Eight

A Novel

De: Katherine Neville

Narrado por: Susan Denaker

Duración: 25 h y 50 m

Resumen del Editor

New York City, 1972 - A dabbler in mathematics and chess, Catherine Velis is also a computer expert for a Big Eight accounting firm. Before heading off to a new assignment in Algeria, Cat has her palm read by a fortune teller. The woman warns Cat of danger. Then an antiques dealer approaches Cat with a mysterious offer: He has an anonymous client who is trying to collect the pieces of an ancient chess service, purported to be in Algeria. If Cat can bring the pieces back, there will be a generous reward.

The south of France, 1790 - Mireille de Rémy and her cousin Valentine are young novices at the fortress-like Montglane Abbey. With France aflame in revolution, the two girls burn to rebel against constricted convent life - and their means of escape is at hand. Buried deep within the abbey are pieces of the Montglane Chess Service, once owned by Charlemagne. Whoever reassembles the pieces can play a game of unlimited power. But to keep the Game a secret from those who would abuse it, the two young women must scatter the pieces throughout the world....

And there's more to the story! Don't miss the sequel, The Fire.

©1988 Katherine Neville (P)2007 Books on Tape

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Even readers with no interest in chess will be swept up into this astonishing fantasy-adventure....destined to become a cult classic." (Publishers Weekly)

“With alchemical skill, Neville blends modern romance, historical fiction, and medieval mystery...and comes up with gold.” (People)

“A big, rich, two-tiered confection of a novel...a rousing, amusing game.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

"Readers thrilled by The Da Vinci Code will relish the multi-layered secrets of The Eight.” (Matthew Pearl, author of The Dante Club)

Good if you have read the book

I have read this book multiple times which made it a lot easier for me to follow the changes in time and the overall plot.

Previous reviewers panned the narrator, but I thought she did a good job. There were a lot of accents and personalities in the book and I think she did a good job keeping the accents straight and understandable.

Outstanding!!!

Wow! After reading the previous reviews, I was hesitant to select this book, but I am so glad I did! The book is beautifully written and the narration is great. I loved the historical references to different time periods and countries. A very enjoyable listen!

Wowsers!

The narration is SO GOOD! The story is spellbinding, unique and addictive! Oh girl, you gotta hear it! Or buy it!:)

Great Story

loved the intricate weaving of historic tapestry of science, not spoiled by time passed since author penned the very personal ethical dilemma that a moral scientist must undergo.

The greatest adventure ever!

If you like chess and history mixed with espionage, and a love story for the ages than this is your book! It’s a nonstop ride and when you get to the last page, you have to read it again.

excellent book

I simply love this book. A must read. I read it over and over.

Beginning and end - awesome; in-between: slow

Any additional comments?

Quite something that I always keep looking for, lot of twists and revelations that make you go

Whoaaaa!!!

**************Contains spoilers*****************

The beginning was really good, it almost made me give 5 stars until I reached the point after Valentine's death, where it started the tales of other historically prominent characters being interested in the Montglane chess service.

I've never been appreciative about switching back and forth between past and present, but this one wasn't that confusing since the characters in both the time spans were entirely different (18 and 20th century) which also meant narrator reading it in different accents (French and English).
Up to 40% of the book, I was very much interested but soon after Valentine's death as I mentioned before, it got very slow and to be frank it felt too long. There is certainly a low point in the book but once you get through it, it again becomes interesting, its worth reading.
Even until the last couple of pages, I was like "What just happened :-o"

Although I was a little unconvinced with the revelation of Mini being Mireille and her living for 200 years at the end, but who cares I had fun reading. I still feel this book could have been a lot shorter without the involvement of prominent historical personalities. Having said that, I also agree that literary work is not my cup of tea, I'm not capable of reading it.

The narrator was excellent with quite a lot of variations in the narration for each character and accents so accurate, as far as I think.

Great plot, great story, interesting puzzles, yet I'd need to gather a lot of time and courage to read such a huge book next time. I'd prefer listening+reading I guess.

Best book ever.

Would you listen to The Eight again? Why?

Yes. Fascinating. Complexity and character development are wonderful. I first read this 15 years ago. Just listened to it and the listen was fabulous.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Eight?

It's a complicated story with 2 plots woven together. You're in suspense till the very end.

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

Would rather listen than read a hard copy.

Great story!

Enjoyed this very much! Good tempo. Great performance. The story was unlike any I've read.

Infinity a saga for a life time

What a saga of history and data analytics. If you love the da vinci saga you love this too.