Preview
  • The Lost Wagon

  • By: Jim Kjelgaard
  • Narrated by: Jim Roberts
  • Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (19 ratings)

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The Lost Wagon

By: Jim Kjelgaard
Narrated by: Jim Roberts
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Publisher's summary

The Lost Wagon is the story of one man's hope of a finding a better life for his family. Deeply in debt and worried that his children will be forced to struggle all their lives to make ends meet, Joe Tower hears stories of free land in Oregon and a better way of life. The tale of the "promised land" does not move his wife Emma to support their leaving all they have behind until a catastrophe gives them no other choice. Intimate and glorious in its description of everyday events, thoughts, and hopes, this story is an excellent representation of what like was really like back in frontier days. The story brings us back to a simpler time, before texting instead of talking and not knowing who your neighbor is. Not an easier time, but certainly a different way of life. Fathers still wanted the best for their children. Mothers still worried about sick babies and couples still loved and supported each other. Elegantly descriptive, it captures the grueling tedium of daily life along with the straightforward characterization of people and events. The way West to a better life was filled with perils: blizzards, outlaws, stampedes, Indians, and starvation but the determination and courage of this family group, alone on the prairie, is a gripping listen.

©1955 Jim Kjelgaard (P)2014 Jimcin Recordings
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What listeners say about The Lost Wagon

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

crappy reader's voice inflection.

Story was solid, good writing! Jim Kjelgaard and my father were friends in Phoenix, Arizona.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

brilliant

amazing work, great writing, great performance. makes one proud of pioneer heritage
the O'Regan trail, better than the game.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good tory

Would you listen to The Lost Wagon again? Why?

no. once was fine.

What about Jim Roberts’s performance did you like?

Nice voice. Good pacing. Good character voices.

Who was the most memorable character of The Lost Wagon and why?

The whole family.

Any additional comments?

As the description says, and I agree... an excellent representation of what like was really like back in frontier days.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Lost Wagon

I have mixed feelings regarding the title; it leaves the wrong impression. The story starts out slowly, picks up once they get on the trail. A different type of story as they are by themselves for most of their travels. I enjoyed the book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Worst Narrator Ever

What would have made The Lost Wagon better?

A different narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

I didn't get very far, but Kjelgaard has always been able to engage me in the past. The story is not the problem.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He read like a robot, like the voice on my GPS. Sometimes he'd end a sentence and then see that there were more words attached to it on the next line. There were times when I laughed out loud at how bad it is, or found myself holding my face in my hands. It started to get a little better, and he was okay with women's voices.

Any additional comments?

When I was young, Jim Kjelgaard was among my favorite authors. I really looked forward to listening to this story, but I don't think I'm going to be able to finish the first chapter. Maybe I'll give this another shot when I'm more patient.

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