Gabriel's Story

By: David Anthony Durham

Narrated by: Thomas Penny

In his acclaimed debut novel, Durham adds a new dimension to the frontier narrative. Gabriel, the teenaged son of an emancipated slave, travels west with his mother, who is lured by the promise of unclaimed land. Despising life as a farmer, Gabriel runs away with a dangerous band of cowboys. But hindered by youth and inexperience, he must escape the racism and brutality that surround him.©2001 David Anthony Durham (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Violent, Dark, Powerful, & Dramatic

A story that was on the college reading list years ago, I had forgotten the true depth of this novel and dived right back into it, feeling the pain and suffering from the author's words and the struggles that the characters endure. Durham's words are powerful and the story itself is full of drama to hang onto that keeps the interest.

Sadly, the cut of the audio moves a bit quick. At certain points it transitions from chapter to chapter and even character viewpoint so rapidly that it is possible to lose the thread here and there. Overall, the outstanding story saves the audio mishap.