Purge

By: Sofi Oksanen, Lola Rogers - translator

Narrated by: Sian Thomas

Deep in an Estonian forest, two women - one young, one old - are hiding. Zara is a prostitute and a murderer, on the run from brutal captors, men who know about inflicting punishment. Aliide offers refuge, but not safety: She has her own secrets, traitorous crimes of passion and revenge committed long ago, during the country’s brutal Soviet years.

Both women have suffered lives of abuse. But this time their survival depends on revealing the one thing history has taught them to keep safely hidden: the truth. A haunting, intimate and gripping story of suspicion, betrayal and retribution against a backdrop of Soviet oppression and European war.

©2008 Sofi Oksanen. (P)2011 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Absolutely amazing

Gripping, a true work of art, I couldn’t stop listening to it. Definitely recommend. Fair warning though, it will make you cry.

Great story, but spoiled by details.

The story is excellent, but in my view it is spoiled by some details which are either implausible or flat out wrong. Narration is not that great with pronunciation of non-English words.

Jumpy

Novel structure fine, but audiobook chapter bookmark jumps around, ending up repeating chapters until you realize it.

Amazing story, terrible accents

Basic knowledge of pronunciation of Estonian people and place names should be a given. Unfortunately, the constant butchering of these cultural and historic nuances was extremely annoying and distracting.

Otherwise, the subject matter and pace of the book are fascinating, terrifying, insightful and, at times, uncomfortably realistic.

Fantastic Narrator!

What did you like best about Purge? What did you like least?

This book is so beautifully worded. It paids such a vivid picture that it is alive in your mind as you listen.

Would you be willing to try another book from Sofi Oksanen and Lola Rogers (Translator) ? Why or why not?

I would definatly look out for this Author & Translator. I got a wonderful education on a world that would otherwise be unknown to me. It was alive with vivid scenery, action and character thoughts & conversation that I felt like I was a fly on the wall.

Have you listened to any of Sian Thomas’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I have listened to Sian and would love to hear more. She is a wonderful narrator, flawless accents and character play.

Was Purge worth the listening time?

Purge is a book that must be listened to carefully, take the time to really enjoy it. It isn't something that you can just 'vague out' to. It is challenging and thought provoking.