Beast

By: Judith Ivory

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Judith Ivory's tantalizing romances are a hit with critics, readers, and fellow writers alike. When the brainy, luminous Louise Vandermeer embarks on a transoceanic quest to marry an aristocrat, she dives into a scorching affair with a stranger on the ship.

Their trysts take place in darkness, so Louise does not know her lover is Charles d'Harcourt, the passionate European playboy who just happens to be her intended! Charles is playing a game, but his plan has unexpected results. Louise has fallen for her shipboard Casanova, and Charles will have to open her eyes to his own charms if he expects to win her heart. With exotic tales featuring radiant women and vigorous men, Ivory builds her legions of fans every day. Narrator Barbara Rosenblat delivers a rousing reading that deliciously amplifies the intensity of Louise and Charles' search for love.

©1997 Judy Cuevas (P)2001 Recorded Books

I needed to stop by and leave a 5

I don’t think anything less than 5 starts does this one justice, so even though I’m burned out on leaving reviews given the amount of titi go through.. here I am.

If I had one negative I would agree would agree with other reviews, the story dragged towards the end. It xo have been better.. that said, it was still 5 stars.

It was pretty good, although

it seem a little different than her usual, somehow.

A classic exquisitely narrated

Judith Ivory writes literature- not merely romance. The words are sumptuous and evocative. The characters can be deeply flawed while endearing and true to the circumstances of their social situations and time period. It’s a treat to revisit this beautiful novel again.

best recording of an excellent romance novel, ever

What did you love best about Beast?

Ivory writes complicated characters who are anything but run of the mill. Louise is, in my opinion, Ivory's best. A young woman raised by loving parents with endless resources, very beautiful, a master of social expectations and conventions of her time (circa 1900) and place (New York, and then then the Côte d'Azur) and she is interested in nothing so much as math and the sciences. She knows her own failings and owns them to Charles telling him that she is vain and self-centered, but he has seen the parts of herself she hides away.

What did you like best about this story?

The second half of the story, once Louise arrives at Charles' home on the Côte d'Azur.

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

She narrates Charles to perfection. Perfect accent, intonation, tone. The dialogue between Charles and Louise is handled so well that sometimes I found myself breaking out in gooseflesh -- and I'm not talking about the sex scenes, which are beautifully done -- but the way they talk to each other.

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

No, I wanted to stretch it out.

Any additional comments?

Some people find the beginning of the book -- letters between Louise's parents and Charles -- go on too long. Rosenblatt narrates them so well that they fly right by.

Not very likable leads

The proposition by Judith ivory was better. On this one, Louise was too full of herself and Charles kinda mean. Still kept me wanting to listen on though. Great performance by the narrator.