When We Were Orphans Audiobook By Kazuo Ishiguro cover art

When We Were Orphans

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When We Were Orphans

By: Kazuo Ishiguro
Narrated by: John Lee
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Narrated by John Lee

""John Lee conveys both Banks' intelligence and his uneasy depths in this fine performance."" —AudioFile

A masterful novel from Kazuo Ishiguro, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, author of the Booker Prize–winning novel The Remains of the Day, and one of the most admired writers of our time.

Christopher Banks, an English boy born in early-20th-century Shanghai, is orphaned at age nine when both his mother and father disappear under suspicious circumstances. He grows up to become a renowned detective, and more than twenty years later, returns to Shanghai to solve the mystery of the disappearances.

Within the layers of the narrative told in Christopher's precise, slightly detached voice are revealed what he can't, or won't, see: that the simplest desires—a child's for his parents, a man's for understanding—may give rise to the most complicated truths.

A feat of narrative skill and soaring imagination, When We Were Orphans is Kazuo Ishiguro at his brilliant best.


 Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction
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Finished splendid and the vile right before this, and the narrator was so stilted and bad at female voices, I vowed to avoid anything else from him. But then, I heard this anyway, same guy, and it was like a different reader altogether. Lee is good, here.

Unfortunately, Ishiguro’s story itself is unsatisfying. It is extremely well phrased; his setting and timeline are elegant and civilized, and his characters are engrossing. And I love, once again, his use of the unreliable narrator, to add a bit of uncertainty into what would otherwise be a too-predictable mystery. Yet, it’s dark! I know not every story has to have a delightful ending, but I wanted this one to go differently. And, while still somewhat predictable, I felt let down that it went—not only bad—but SO bad... sorry if that’s a spoiler, but you might as well know it isn’t the romantic story you come to expect from the beginning.

This is now my second middling review of a book by ishiguro (the other was artist of the floating world). Ordinarily, that would be more than enough to justify my giving up on a writer. Yet, his style is so impeccable, his skill so obvious, I’m sure I will try another. He’s like that talented actor who keeps picking mediocre films.

Good narrator, good writing, dark story

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The subtle and nuanced emotions of youth becoming adults is the recurrent theme of all Ishiguro’s writing. To follow his characters through their complicated and self-reflective journey is to better understand one’s own life and own journey. A deep and mesmerizing tale, lovingly narrated.

Another masterpiece!

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A marvel, how well Ishiguro can construct & write! Not only a unique , very engaging narrative, but how delightfully concise is his use of language. His writings a spark to ones own imagination.
John Lee's narration is impeccable. He so mightily adds to the story, without imposing himself. Each voice performed, where emphasis is regarded, and his cadence are remarkable.

Absorbing

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John Lee is a superb narrator. His flawless expertise with a myriad of accents provides an unparalleled listening experience. Moreover, I am a fan of Ishiguro's writing, sometimes a dreamy, flowing experience which lends itself well to being read aloud. So, I'm happy with my choice here.

However. WHY did audible.com announce at the beginning of my download---in a very chirpy kids' chorus--AUDIBLE KIDS!! Did someone look at the title of this novel and incorrectly ASSUME this was a children's book? What happened, Audible??

A Lovely Reading....

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most of the book was amazing. the ending left several unanswered questions. great period piece

great narration!

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