
The Book of Speculation
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Ari Fliakos
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By:
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Erika Swyler
"Dear Mr. Watson, I came across this book at auction as part of a larger lot I purchased on speculation. The damage renders it useless to me, but a name inside it - Verona Bonn - led me to believe it might be of interest to you or your family...."
Simon Watson, a young librarian on the verge of losing his job, lives alone on the Long Island Sound in his family home - a house, perched on the edge of a bluff, that is slowly crumbling toward the sea. His parents are long dead, his mother having drowned in the water his house overlooks. His younger sister, Enola, works for a traveling carnival reading tarot cards and seldom calls.
In late June Simon receives a mysterious package from an antiquarian bookseller. The book tells the story of Amos and Evangeline, doomed lovers who worked in a traveling circus more than 200 years ago. The paper crackles with age as Simon turns the yellowed pages filled with notes, sketches, and whimsical flourishes. His best friend and fellow librarian, Alice, looks on in increasing alarm.
Why does his grandmother's name, Verona Bonn, appear in this book? Why do so many women in his family drown on July 24? Is there a curse on his family - and could Enola, who has suddenly turned up at home for the first time in six years, risk the same fate in just a few weeks? In order to save her - and perhaps himself - Simon must try urgently to decode his family history while moving on from the past.
The Book of Speculation is Erika Swyler's gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books and family and magic.
©2015 Macmillan Audio (P)2015 Macmillan AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
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I probably would’ve rated this book much higher, but I did find it a little hard to connect with the characters, and while this book worked largely on the idea of a thread weaving together many lives, it still felt too coincidental rather than feeling like it smoothly pieced together the many puzzles making up a history that was larger than any of the characters could imagine. I cared more about the story being told about their ancestors than the modern day tale that was unfolding. However, Ari Fliakos was simply amazing. At first, I didn’t know if I was going to like the tone he used for Enola, but as I continued to listen and learned more about the character, that clipped, sarcastic tone he used for her fit the eccentricity of her character well. In fact, he did a wonderful job of making all the characters feel so distinct from Churchwarry’s jolliness to Peabody’s larger than life magnetism to Evangeline’s pensive wistfulness to Frank’s simple straightforwardness. I even loved his southern accents which sounded mostly right and used that softened twang just the way it’s supposed to be. Where I might’ve just rated this 3 stars, Fliakos’ narration was beautiful and swayed some of my opinion on its rating.
The Book of Speculation is a haunting, poetic story that shows how wants, heartache, and wishes can breathe intent into actions that were done simply out of love, how generations can fall into those same cycles until someone tries to break the “curse.” This book has just the right amount amount of myth, magic, and realism that can cause its readers to ponder the ideas presented, and if I’d had the chance to care a little more about the characters that Swyler introduced me to, this book would’ve definitely been a home-run for me.
A wonderful blend of magical realism and fantasy
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Pleasently Surprised
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Engaging!
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Stick with this one
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An interesting tale
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This book was touching and magical.
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I have always enjoyed a well written book that can move the reader from past to present rather seamlessly, Book of Speculation is no disappointment. The story of Amos and Peabody is touching. The carnival life of the 19th century boisterous and flamboyant.
Present day Simon, Churchwary, Inola and the lot make an interesting cast of characters.
The narrator does a very good job with the carnival voices, some of which are quite a challenge I am sure. The story comes to life with the magical revealing as told by Ari Fliakos.
If you are someone that enjoys good storytelling than look no further. Completely avoid this book if you are bothered by the occult and the occasional foul word.
Happy listening.
Old fashion fun at the carnival
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Nice story, difficult listening
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Where does The Book of Speculation rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This is by far one of my favorites, simply because it was such a nice change for me. The story felt like part novel, part fairytale, part folklore. I could listen to the narrater all day long. All his many voices brought each character alive for me.What was one of the most memorable moments of The Book of Speculation?
Too many to list!Which character – as performed by Ari Fliakos – was your favorite?
My favorite character was Simon. He was such a sweet and witty character and the fact that he was a male librarian, but still cool, made me like him more. Second favorite, the electric boyfriend!Any additional comments?
If this is going out on a limb for you to read a magical tale, give this one a shot. You may realize you have found a new genre!Perfect Mix of Magic and Realism
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Outstanding family lore
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