• The Mountain and the Sea

  • By: Kwame Dawes
  • Narrated by: Paula-Anne Jones
  • Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (7,723 ratings)

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The Mountain and the Sea  By  cover art

The Mountain and the Sea

By: Kwame Dawes
Narrated by: Paula-Anne Jones
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Publisher's summary

Esther, a painter living in Jamaica and recovering from the death of her husband, comes across a man on a mountain road with no memory of his past. As a hurricane rushes towards the island, she shelters the handsome stranger, names him “Monty”, and tries to uncover the mystery of his missing memory. She soon finds herself falling in love with a man she barely knows, and who doesn’t even know himself. 

The Mountain and the Sea is a romantic tale about letting go of the past and embracing the present. Set on the lush Jamaican coast, the poetic prose brings to life the warmth of the sands, the spice in the foods, and the passion of a Caribbean love affair. This is a story for listeners who long for an escape to a faraway place, and for a journey inside the secrets of the human heart. It’s a story that explores the question: How can we leave the pain of our old relationships behind and give ourselves a new chance at love? 

Kwame Dawes’ poetic prose is brought to life by the enticing and lyrical performance of Jamaican narrator Paula-Anne Jones.

©2019 Audible Originals LLC (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Our favorite moments from The Mountain and the Sea

Esther prepares for an incoming storm.
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"But she felt in that moment that he needed help."
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"Their slow waltz to the car felt strangely graceful to her."
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  • The Mountain and the Sea
  • Esther prepares for an incoming storm.
  • The Mountain and the Sea
  • "But she felt in that moment that he needed help."
  • The Mountain and the Sea
  • "Their slow waltz to the car felt strangely graceful to her."

About the Creator

Kwame Dawes is the author of numerous books of poetry, fiction, criticism, and essays and the winner of many awards. He is Glenna Luschei Editor of Prairie Schooner, and teaches at the University of Nebraska and the Pacific MFA Program. He is Director of the African Poetry Book Fund and Artistic Director of the Calabash International Literary Festival.

Photo Credit, El Secretario

About the Performer

Paula-Anne Porter Jones has been a broadcaster for more than thirty years. She describes her job as a morning show announcer as, "telling scores of stories of different lengths and types to different people—each morning is different and you never know what half of the stories will be or how they will end." A mother of four from Kingston, Jamaica, she has been voice-over talent for hundreds of short projects across the Caribbean and North America. She also works as a communication consultant, and when she is not telling stories to her on-air audiences, she is either lecturing in communication, or participating in her other loves—reading, playing sports, bird watching, scuba diving, or riding her motorcycle. Kwame Dawes’ The Mountain and the Sea is her first Audible project.

What listeners say about The Mountain and the Sea

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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    3,266
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  • 3 Stars
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Story
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Pornography

All of a sudden story is about overt sex and the language is too descriptive Not a love story

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119 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Truly horrible!

Badly written. Badly read. could not get past chapter 1. do not waste your time.

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58 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Mo
  • 04-11-20

I'M GETTING AN ISLAND!!!!

Esther is a joy!!! Monty is a dream! Simplicity Is Elegance! Thank you for this!!!

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A treat for the ears

The performance is what made this story so enjoyable to hear. Her Jamaican voice has a lilting cadence and brings warmth to the listener’s ears.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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No 2nd Chance For Love

This was very good, fun and enjoyable read. I did not want it to end...especially the way that it did! The narration was clear and articulate. I enjoyed hearing the book in another native tongue, accents and all! I was hoping she had found love, real love a 2nd time around! Thanks

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

DELICIOUS!

One doesn't just read (listen to) this book. It is an experience. A perfect pairing of a well crafted story with absolutely delightful narration. It's lovely.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Audible Original.Great Narration. Though

Favorite Audible Original. Great Narration. Thoughtful, Wonderful descriptive prose! I recommend this one! * *

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

loving this book!

I'm only at the halfway mark, but didn't want to wait for review. While I am enjoying the story line, I am entranced ay the preformer .. a woman with Jamaican accent for story based in Jamaica. I especially like her expressions and that you can hear laughter in her voice in the appropriate moments. I think I wouldn't enjoy stouy as much if it were the voice in my head! Will be looking for other books she had narrated! I highly recommend this, but don't listen with young ears around. Use headset or wait until the youngans are asleep ;)

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Nice change

I'm a true crime fan, but thought I would try this book. The Jamaican accent & storyline, in addition to the fact that I hadn't heard or read a love story in 20 years or more-persuaded me to choose this. it was enjoyable....

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

Excellent reading of a woman whose husband died 4 years ago. Living on an island in Jamaica, she makes a living as an artist. Upon finding a naked man on the beach, she takes hm ii n and discovers herself again.

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