A Brief History of Seven Killings Audiobook By Marlon James cover art

A Brief History of Seven Killings

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A Brief History of Seven Killings

By: Marlon James
Narrated by: Robertson Dean, Cherise Boothe, Dwight Bacquie, Ryan Anderson, Johnathan McClain, Robert Younis, Thom Rivera
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About this listen

Winner, The Man Booker Prize, 2015

On December 3, 1976, just before the Jamaican general election and two days before Bob Marley was to play the Smile Jamaica Concert, gunmen stormed his house, machine guns blazing. The attack nearly killed the Reggae superstar, his wife, and his manager, and injured several others. Marley would go on to perform at the free concert on December 5, but he left the country the next day, not to return for two years.

Deftly spanning decades and continents and peopled with a wide range of characters - assassins, journalists, drug dealers, and even ghosts - A Brief History of Seven Killings is the fictional exploration of that dangerous and unstable time and its bloody aftermath, from the streets and slums of Kingston in the 1970s, to the crack wars in 1980s New York, to a radically altered Jamaica in the 1990s. Brilliantly inventive and stunningly ambitious, this novel is a revealing modern epic that will secure Marlon James' place among the great literary talents of his generation.

©2014 Marlon James. Recorded by arrangement with Penguin Books. (P)2014 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction World Literature Caribbean Funny Heartfelt New York Jamaican History
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Editor's Pick

Historical fiction at its best
"I wish I could write something as genius as this story. It’s a long one, and it’s a deep dive, but it is so masterfully crafted and engrossing that it goes by a lot quicker than you’d think. Plus the multicast narration really brings this novel to life."
Aaron S., Audible Editor

Masterful Storytelling • Complex Characters • Outstanding Voice Acting • Rich Cultural Depth • Vivid Dialogue
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This book seems to have been written to be performed as an audiobook. The use of multiple narrators brought the story vividly life. The book was artfully written from multiple perspectives, which just made the narrative more engaging. The beautifully performed Jamaican patois would have been difficult to read, but was beautiful to listen to, despite the wrenching and painful story. Highly recommended!

Interesting, engaging and beautifully read.

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The Jamaican diaspora should appreciate this work. I couldn't stop listening to this. Very well done.

Out if many one people

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The breadth of characters and issues as they move through time and place sucks you in. Great monologues and voices to match!

Captivating!

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It takes a while to get into it and past the patois, but a terrific book

Amazing

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I was right there... in the fight, the club the streets even the concert. I was so disappointed when it was over.

Action Packed I was there on the Island !!!

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If you only want the tourist version of Jamaica, this book isn't for you. Even in paradise life can be lousy.

Each time.same.story told it's more confusing

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Dramatic reading of an exciting story some of which is very funny. The movie will be irresistible. The writing is so visual one can imagine what Quentin Tarantino and crew would do with this. The book does provide a portrait of how crime, politics, and governments are intertwined.

Fabulous book! The readers are superlative!!!

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My only criticism is that some of the "Jamaican" accents were not authentic. But otherwise, a very gripping story.

Brilliant Brilliant Book!

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most of the voice actors were bad with reading Patois or unbelievable in their nationality. a good story based on factual events. almost Erie.

2.5 good narrators. needs voice actors....

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

Only if the friend is willing to do some work researching Jamaican history. It's a very challenging read.

What did you like best about this story?

I am interested in politics and different cultures

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

Much of the book is written in patois so unless you are Jamaican, you'll probably need some help.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No....too long, would be impossible.

I Couldn't Have Read This Without Audible

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