Keturah and Lord Death

By: Martine Leavitt

Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan

Sixteen-year-old Keturah tells vibrant stories of her own imagining to the folk of her small village. Her talent for painting beautiful pictures with words is impressive indeed, but will it be enough to save her life when she becomes lost in the deep, dark forest?©2006 Martine Leavitt (P)2007 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Leavitt crafts a darkly gorgeous medieval fairy tale....[It] conjures the sunny, brimming village at fair time, but also the volatility of a vulnerable peasantry and the encroaching forest's secrets. A fine achievement. Ages 12-up." ( Publishers Weekly)

Powerful, a great depth of meaning

I listened to this really wanting to dig deep for meaning, I searched for lessons, truth, and metaphor. I was not disappointed. There are still things I haven't totally processed, but I loved every minute, and found such great value in the story. I'll likely listen again.

Pure Fairytale Bliss

At 6 hours it's not very long, but it is well worth the credit. Couldn't stop listening to it until the very end, great narration, great story.

Well Told Yarn

If you could sum up Keturah and Lord Death in three words, what would they be?

Bittersweet, fireside fairy-tale.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hmmm... that is a toss-up between Keturah and Lord Death. I liked both characters, and I guess I will have to go with Keturah because we get to know her better than Lord Death. Keturah is a really sweet girl, generous, loving, and she is clever, too.

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

Since this book is in story form (told around the Common Fire), I think it is best read aloud. The narrator did a great job, and I think her voice really fits the story.

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

The end scene, of course!

Any additional comments?

I actually bought this audiobook in 2008 but I don't remember listening to it. As I went through My Library a few weeks ago, I came across the title and decided to listen again to refresh my memory. Well, this story is definitely not something I would forget, so I don't think I ever listened to begin with. I highly recommend the story for anyone who loves fairy-tales, whimsical stories, and love stories that are safe for even pre-teens.

so good

I'm not even a big fan of love stories, but this is so simple and satisfying. Actually, it seems simple but it is masterfully told. Something to enjoy for youths and adults alike in my opinion.

inspires to help others

this was an intriguing story. I liked listening to it. It was full of fascinating describtions of the village activities and foods.