Tangerine

By: Christine Mangan

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik, Erin Mallon

The last person Alice Shipley expected to see since arriving in Tangier with her new husband was Lucy Mason. After the accident at Bennington, the two friends—once inseparable roommates—haven’t spoken in over a year. But there Lucy was, trying to make things right and return to their old rhythms. Perhaps Alice should be happy. She has not adjusted to life in Morocco, too afraid to venture out into the bustling medinas and oppressive heat. Lucy—always fearless and independent—helps Alice emerge from her flat and explore the country.

But soon a familiar feeling starts to overtake Alice—she feels controlled and stifled by Lucy at every turn. Then Alice’s husband, John, goes missing, and Alice starts to question everything around her: her relationship with her enigmatic friend, her decision to ever come to Tangier, and her very own state of mind.

Tangerine is a sharp dagger of an audiobook—a debut so tightly wound, so replete with exotic imagery and charm, so full of precise details and extraordinary craftsmanship, it will leave you absolutely breathless.

Optioned for film by George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures, with Scarlett Johansson to star.

Thumbs Down

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Greatly disliked this book. Hated the ending, and didn't like any of the characters. Couldn't wait for it to be over. I never review books but I had to write down my displeasure.

Would you ever listen to anything by Christine Mangan again?

Questionable.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Narration was okay.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

NO!!!

Any additional comments?

There were no likable characters.

A Waste of a Promising Setting & Set-up

This book sounded so promising, but it's really just two uninteresting characters taking turns recounting the same clumsy scenes and uninspired steps. Nothing develops, but there are a few mysteries kept in flashbacks that are not at all worth the slog. With so little going on, it's an easy book to follow after the first chapter or so.

WHHHHHHATTTT?!?

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!?!? That ending?!!!!!!! Ugh! You’ll have to read it.... to me it was a bit hard to get pass the narrator for Lucy but the story was good enough to overcome that.

Enjoyed on audio

This story had a Hitchcock feel. The performance of Lucy was a little breathy for my taste but the tone and other aspects of delivery struck appropriately. The Alice parts were more enjoyable and the fragility more believable. I liked the book overall and found it enjoyable. Chapter endings kept me coming back, but I wasn't clammoring to finish.

Just misses the mark

There was a lot that appeals to me in this novel (weird, intense friendships, a dark mystery in the past, representations of female "hysteria"), but somehow it didn't quite come together in the end. Many of the book's events struck me as unbelievable -- I won't detail them here to avoid spoilers -- and as a result some of the twists in the story felt unearned or unconvincing. That said, I enjoyed listening to much of it. I just wish it were a little bit better.