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Bellman & Black

By: Diane Setterfield
Narrated by: Jack Davenport
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Publisher's summary

As a boy, William Bellman commits one small, cruel act: killing a bird with his slingshot. Little does he know the unforeseen and terrible consequences of the deed, which is soon forgotten amidst the riot of boyhood games. By the time he is grown, with a wife and children of his own, William seems to be a man blessed by fortune - until tragedy strikes and the stranger in black comes. Then he starts to wonder if all his happiness is about to be eclipsed. Desperate to save the one precious thing he has left, William enters into a rather strange bargain, with an even stranger partner, to found a decidedly macabre business.

And Bellman & Black is born.

©2013 Diane Setterfield (P)2013 Simon & Schuster
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What listeners say about Bellman & Black

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

If you loved the Thirteenth Tale you will love this. Enthralling!

I was totally engrossed by this book from the beginning. I “Felt” this. The Narrator was perfect for this wonderful story. I’m going to listen to it again and again.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Wanted it to be better

Love Dine Setterfield’s writing, but this one just did not do it for me. I was hoping for more character development with other characters then just Bellman. This one was just not up to my expectations. O well!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Historical drama with a touch of the Supernatural

Fantastic! Absolutely enthralling. Not a mystery like other Diane Settterfield books (which I also loved), and this was cited by other reviews as a complaint, a disappointment. Don't Fall For It.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I looked forward to reading another book from this author of The Thirteenth Tale. However,I did not enjoy Bellman and Black. Very slow and somewhat predictable story. I frequently had to go back and relisten to parts because my mind would wander.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Nothing like the Thirteenth Tale

This book barely kept my interest. The thirteenth tale was 100 % better. I'll look for her next one.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best of 2013

This is an absolutely extraordinary book by a brilliant author. Don't miss it. Absolutely spellbinding! The narration is done by Jack Davenport who lends the perfect voice for the characters. Although to be honest I could listen to Davenport read a phone book and be perfectly content.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Classical

Very detailed, poetic writing. The story is a bit long and a tad aimless. Narration of the audio book is superb and made the experience of the novel feel more Gothic.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable in its own right.

This narrator did an amazing job. The story pulls you in without you even realizing. Beautifully descriptive. Not as complex or suspenseful as the Thirteenth Tale, but enjoyable in its own right. A good pick when you don't want anything with too much emotion, but still want to escape.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I really wanted to love it!

I just couldn’t get behind the protagonist. Her other two books are outstanding. Keep them coming!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Nevermore

Not everyone will like this one, but I did. I love how Diane Setterfield takes books like Jane Eyer in the Thirteenth Tale and now Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven and constructs a new story around the same premise. If you don't get "The Raven" you probably won't get Bellman and Black. The story is so well done. It is a slow moving story of the life of William Bellman. He spends half of his life in pursuit of riches, but at what price? The Raven's sorrowful words of "never more" are brought to mind over and over again. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It makes me want to enjoy the relationships of those around me and never take a moment for granted of the time I have with those I hold so dear.

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18 people found this helpful