A really clever tale

Hooked from the start, but it just got better and better. Should be made for television

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A beautiful and moving slowly building novel

This a wonderful work that requires some patience as it slowly builds to a crescendo. And it is well worth taking the time to experience the intensely creative writing

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Lots of vivid detail, a cracking story.

I loved this, each character was fully formed, a complex story told with such. skill, bravo!

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A really good story

I am so glad I listened to this book. I was a little daunted by the 'list' of characters, but I managed to keep track! Good plot, well written and easy on the ear narration. I was tempted to listen to it again when I got to the end.

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Enjoyed

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes the time was well spent, I really wanted to hear the whole story

Would you recommend The Luminaries to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes I would recommend, but not strongly. Eleanor Catton was done a wonderful job in writing this book, I congratulate her on her success. Every book is not loved equally by everyone

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Mark Meadows?

Mark Meadows did an excellent job with the various characters, BUT a New Zealander would have been great. I am a New Zealander and the pronunciations of words such as Hokitika, Kaniere, totara, paheka grated on me. I am not a speaker of te Reo Maori, so I am not sure how good or bad their reaction would be. It did detract from my enjoyment of this book.

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Transported back in time

Where does The Luminaries rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really enjoyed this lengthy book. Definitely in my top ten so far

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

The party held by Lydia

What does Mark Meadows bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Mark Meadows' pleasant reading style allowed me to be quite imaginative about the characters

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No! Far too long for that. This was to be savoured over many days

Any additional comments?

I didn't think I would enjoy a 'historical' novel, but I did. It had obviously been well researched.

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A brilliantly written book with a very clever plot

Would you listen to The Luminaries again? Why?

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it again, but would not wish to re-read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Emery Staines was a charismatic character.

Have you listened to any of Mark Meadows’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No, but I would like to….very talented.

Any additional comments?

Took a little while to get into, and a slightly unsatisfactory ending, leaving questions unanswered but otherwise a masterpiece! A worthy award winner.

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Outstanding performance!

What did you like most about The Luminaries?

The book's structure is brilliant, and Eleanor Catton's command of the language incredibly precise. Her sensitive characterisations and gripping story offer a wonderful glimpse into nineteenth-century New Zealand.

Any additional comments?

Mark Meadows's use of a broad spectrum of accents amounts to an incredibly accurate rendition of class and cultural difference, and helps the reader keep the characters apart very easily. A very convincing and enjoyable performance.

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Time Lord's delight

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Although this book is to be recommended, it fails me in the end with the loose ends and the most especially the compulsive use of jumping back in time like a recording made in nonsequential edits. It rapidly becomes confusing as you futilely try to keep a group on who why and when. Once the trial is over it again leaps backwards to finally tie things up, but creates more of an anticlimax in doing so. Better to reorganise the time segments in a more sequential manner to follow the characters and related events.

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

I wanted it to be the unexplained facts, and maybe a closure, especially relating to Anna, but it was not to be. So, I suppose the second part of the download was better, with a desire to listen on and get into the story more (e.g. relationship between Carver and Wells), but it was not fulfilled, either as a "once upon a time..." or as a tragedy.

Which character – as performed by Mark Meadows – was your favourite?

Moody

Do you think The Luminaries needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes, it would be possible. There are enough loose ends with the death of A Suk, Shepherd' actions and the continuation of Staines' activities in the gold field. Of course, the characters of Lydia Wells, and Carver act as good bad guy characters to act as foils. Maybe tell it from Moody's viewpoint re Anna and Staines.

Any additional comments?

Reorganise the structure of the original.

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Loved it - kept taking detours to listen longer!

Any additional comments?

Ignoring the silly questions audible poses for reviewers, this was a fantastic audio book. I honestly don't think I could have read it as book, but fantastic as a well read audio book. Mark Meadows' narration helped me follow the story in what is a complex story by his excellent characterisation. Also, if I had been reading this I think it would have been too daunting a task, but as I listen in my car too, from and at work, I found myself absorbed by the story.
I am not normally a fan of anything within the murder/mystery/whodunnit genre as I feel so stupid at never working it out whilst everyone else tells me they knew after the first twenty pages or so, but here, the writing and the story are so good that it really didn't matter.
Finally, I loved the fascinating detail of the era Eleanor Catton includes as it so brings the novel to life. I want to go out to New Zealand NOW!

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