Preview
  • Through Black Spruce

  • By: Joseph Boyden
  • Narrated by: James Jenner
  • Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (176 ratings)

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Through Black Spruce

By: Joseph Boyden
Narrated by: James Jenner
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Publisher's summary

Joseph Boyden's first novel, Three Day Road, was a Today Show Book Club selection. Through Black Spruce is the exceptional follow-up to his acclaimed debut. Cree bush pilot Will Bird lies comatose in a hospital, while his wayward niece Annie arrives to sit in silent vigil by his side. Slowly their stories reveal two people previously separated by great distances, beaten and broken, and searching for some sense of where they belong in the world.
©2008 Joseph Boyden (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC
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Critic reviews

"[A]n intelligent, multilayered accomplishment, and well worth reading." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Through Black Spruce

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

Great story, great narration!

loved it, great dialogue and writing, makes me want to spend more time in the wilderness.

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

Learn your place names!

Great story and generally strong performances but the mispronunciation of the Canadian place names was really grating. Spa-DEE-na? Bath-HURST? Tor-RAWN-to? MAWN-tree-all? And then Mount Royal with a French accent?? It's like listening to an American tourist. Come on guys! Get it together!! At least talk to a local next time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Great Book

Loved this book. Especially liked that there is a male and female reader. You would not be disappointed with this book. I looked forward to my walks each day so I could continue with the story.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Couldn't put it down

Didn't want it to end, but knew that it had to. Told so beautifully, I want to go back there, I want to be the hero , to save the day , but I know very little would change , and that is tragic.

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

Amazing and captivating story.

Amazing and captivating story. really love how much i get to learn about Cree ways of life, living off the land, struggling to survive in both the bush and cities. A novel that provides lots of perspective.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A pleasure to listen to

The author acknowledges native life, and its shortcomings, but it doesn't own his characters, or the book.
Very realistic wilderness scenarios, not tidy, nor idyllic.
Exceptionally well read, wonderful parallels between predators in the many worlds inhabited by the characters.
Would love to listen to Boyden's first book " Three Day Road"

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5 people found this helpful

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

Wonderful

l loved this book. I was sorry It had ti end. the characters easily became a part of my day. I looked forward to the adventures and their personal growth.

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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

pure excellence...

The books were better each read. It is one of those few times I am sad too have finished... and days later still think about them....
(Three Day Road, the Orenda & Through Black Spruce)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A writer to watch

This is a really fine book. Having read Boyden's previous book, Three Day Road, I wondered how the narrator would handle the "Cree English' dialogue that makes Boyden's writing so authentic. He got it right, in my opinion.
Both of his books have changed, forever, my understanding of the impact of European settlement on First Nation's people, without feeling that I was being preached to. Joseph Boyden is one talented writer.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Read

This is an amazing book. I found myself torn between pity and amazement at the Cree characters as they go from onlookers to participants in a drug ring much larger than they had ever realized. The "Indian Princess" goes to NYC to find her sister, the Bush Pilot uncle murders the ring leader and has to hide on an desolate island. Definitely a great listen.

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4 people found this helpful