Past Caring

By: Robert Goddard

Narrated by: Paul Shelley

Why should distinguished Edwardian Cabinet minister Edwin Straford resign at the height of his career? Why does the woman he loves so suddenly reject him? Why, 70 years later, should people go to such lengths to prevent the truth coming out?©2008 Robert Goddard (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Written in clear, resonant prose, Goddard's first novel, nominated for the Booker prize, is a poised telling of a complex tale....In one sense a historical thriller, and in another a romantic novel of a love affair gone disastrously wrong, this is, in any case, a wonderful read." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Psychological drama and intricate plot will entice readers." ( Library Journal)

Wow

Really fantastic. I found this story to be quite engaging. It took a while to get going and I needed to take notes to keep track of everybody, but it was very very good. I did think that there were a few moments that stretched credulity, as in, "well, why doesn't he just tell her?" But, it certainly wasn't a deal breaker and was totally overshadowed by the expert craftsmanship oozing from every page. Thanks, Robert!

Read the Reviews, not the poor publisher's summary

I hesitated so long whether to get this book.. It had relatively few reviews despite being out for 2 years and the cover artwork and publisher's summary are bland. I eventually took the plunge and glad I did! I highly recommend it.
There are 2 main characters that contribute to telling the story. A man about 30 in early 1970's is hired to find out what happened to a man who was an English Cabinet Minister (at about 1930, if I remember correctly). That sounds kind of boring, but there is quite a robust plot with a couple of unexpected revelations and some duplicitous characters. Even though there are 2 stories with a fair amt of characters, the book is not overly complex to be thoroughly entertaining. Narrator was good, not great, but I would listen to other books narrated by him. I will look for more from this author.

More like this, please!

Where does Past Caring rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 5 books both for story and narration

What did you like best about this story?

The author gives you enough hints to figure out what is going before the protagonist does BUT you never really know what is going to happen next.

Which character – as performed by Paul Shelley – was your favorite?

I liked the fact that Paul Shelley wasn't "performing" but just reading the story in a captivating but calm voice that let the story and all the characters shine through. The novel was the star, not Paul Shelley, and that is the mark of a great narrator for me.

Who was the most memorable character of Past Caring and why?

Elizabeth, Edwin, and Martin. They were the key characters that made the story real and compelling.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. Aside from Dying To Tell, it is my favorite Robert Goddard novel. Paul Shelley is a great reader too! Please give him more narration work! I would listen to a book for his narration.

An old favorite, beautifully read

I read this book back in the 80’s when it first came out. It set me off to read all of Robert Goddard’s other books. I was concerned that if I listened to it now it would loose some of its luster in my memory. It did not. I’m so happy that Mr Shelley did the reading. It was perfect! On a side note: A year after I first read Past Caring, I had such a craving to read something else by this author. I couldn’t remember his name, just the title. I went to the bookstore and searched for Past Caring so that I could make the connection and find another book by this author. I searched every section, and read the back of countless books. Disappointed, I chose a book that looked like it would satisfy my yearning. It was winter, and while sitting in my car warming the engine, I took out my new book to thumb through it. Inside the front I read, Past Caring by Robert Goddard. That remains my favorite serendipitous moment.

A lovely relaxing read

Where does Past Caring rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Past Caring is a good book with an interesting plot and well woven characters. I enjoyed it !