The Listener
Published by: Simon & Schuster
Published on: December 2009
Page Count: 305
Genre: Fiction/Gothic
My Reading Format: Hardcover purchased from Powells
Available Formats: Hardcover, eBook, and audiobook
My Review
Tossing a book on your DNF pile after 191 page is akin to giving up on a 20 year marriage. On the one had, you’ve already been through so much with the book that it’s a shame to give up on it within 100ish pages of the end. On the other, there’s no point in losing any more of your life to the book if you’re not happy. Sadly, but not regretfully, I decided to divorce myself from Shira Nayman’s novel about a the lead doctor at a mental institution in post WWII New York and an odd patient who seems to know so much about him and one of his former patients.
I had high hopes for the book. It caught my eye in a copy of BookPage. I love to read Gothic fiction, and what’s more Gothic than an insane asylum – well, other than a spooky British mansion? I didn’t have any expectations that it would be as wonderful as Patrick McGrath’s Asylum, but I was expecting it to be interesting. I found this book rather boring. Even the scenes where Dr. Harrison is spying on others having sex weren’t enough to make me want to continue. I’m sure that it was headed somewhere, but I just didn’t care.
I am still on the search for a new fabulous Gothic read. I think Kate Morton might be my next best choice. In the meantime, I cannot recommend The Listener.
Other Voices
You’ve read what I have to say. Why not check out this bloggers’ review?
I’m sad about this one, I was hoping to hear from you about a great gothic read. Alas!
Too bad it’s a stinker because it’s got a fabulous cover.
I love good Gothic fiction, too bad this isn’t it. Thanks for the review. The cover and premise would make me want to read this but I think I’ll give it a pass.
It really does say something about a book when you’re willing to give up after reading that much. But when you’ve gotten that far and still aren’t into it, what is the point?
Love this cover and title.
BUMMER – I had high hopes with that awesomely gothic cover. Oh well.