Italian Shoes

By: Henning Mankell

Narrated by: Henry Strozier

With more than 30 million copies of his works published, in 37 languages, award-winning author Henning Mankell may be Sweden's most accomplished novelist. Here he crafts the icy, atmospheric tale of Fredrik Welin, a disgraced surgeon living in exile on a small island. When Fredrik receives a surprise visit from a lover he abandoned decades earlier, he begins the difficult road to redemption.©2006 Henning Mankell (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Mankell continues to write literary fiction in addition to his popular crime series starring Swedish policeman Kurt Wallander. This time he tells the story of a lonely old man living alone on an isolated island. Why is former surgeon Fredrik Welin hiding on his grandparents' island? Can anything break him loose from his self-imposed exile? These two questions guide this short, beautiful, and ultimately life-affirming novel, as first one woman and then another enter Fredrik's island prison." ( Booklist)

A beautiful story about life’s journeys

I felt like I traveled right beside the characters through their travels and ups and downs of life and countryside.

Beautiful

I love his writing, the joy, tragedy, and especially character development. Very real, endearing and I want to visit the island and lay flowers on the dogs grave.

Makes you think

Sometimes I felt the book dragged but a lot of the time it was moving, exasperating and provocative. I’m glad to have read it; I believe it will stay with me

Wonderful story with perfect choice of narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is the fifth book I've experienced by Henning Mankell, the first audiobook. The story is unique and subtle and poignant, strange as only real life can be. Henry Strozier has a voice that perfectly suits the main character. The story begins slowly and flatly to express the emptiness and desolation of this man's life, yet moves forward with the events that pull him back into the land of the living. I both laughed and cried while listening to Italian Shoes. I will listen to this again one day, with great pleasure.

What did you like best about this story?

The subtlety of this unique first-person story.

Which character – as performed by Henry Strozier – was your favorite?

The main character, this damaged, vulnerable and greatly flawed man.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The party for the dying Harriett. Beautiful.

A great novel. Better than a lot of the detective ones and they are good.

As I said, better than many of his very good detective stories. An excellent novel. Enjoy.