Forever

By: Pete Hamill

Narrated by: Stevie Ray Dallimore

From the shores of Ireland, Cormac O'Connor sets out on a fateful journey to avenge the deaths of his parents and honor the code of his ancestors. His quest brings him to the settlement of New York, seething with tensions between English and Irish, whites and blacks, British and "Americans," where he is swept up in a tide of conspiracy and violence. In return for aiding an African shaman who was brought to America in chains, Cormac is given an otherworldly gift: He will live forever - as long as he never leaves the island of Manhattan.

Cormac comes to know all the buried secrets of Manhattan - the way it has been shaped by greed, race and waves of immigration, by the unleashing of enormous human energies, and above all, by hope.

Through it all, Cormac must fight a force of evil that returns relentlessly in the scions of a single family whose path first crossed his in Ireland. As he searches out these blood enemies, he must watch everyone he touches slip away. And so he seeks the one who can change his fate, the mysterious dark lady who alone can free him from the blessing and the curse of his long life.

Drawing on Pete Hamill's bone-deep knowledge of New York City, Forever is his long-awaited masterpiece, a Shakespearean evocation of the mysteries of time and death, sex and love, character and place. It is both an unforgettable drama and a timeless triumph of storytelling.

©2003 Deidre Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (P)2003 Simon & Schuster Inc. All Rights Reserved

Critic reviews

"As always, [Hamill] is perfectly enjoyable to read for his great felicity of style (obviously derived from his years as a journalist) as well as his originality of plot. This absolutely embracing novel is certain to hit the best seller lists." (Booklist)

Good Book

I had not read anything about the book before listening to it, so I was a bit surprised when the story skipped through time with the same character. Then I realized this book was also a bit of a history lesson of NYC. I thought of my own experiences (limited) in NYC and the places the Cormac lives, works, and visits.

I am usually a Tom Clancy/John Grisham listener...I got this book for my wife, but I ended getting into the book just as much as she did.

Manhattan early history

I love the look back at the early life of Manhattan and its people from a writer with an incredible love of the city.

Poor Ending

Great start. The historical points at the beginning and in NYC were very interesting. The author was not able to find an ending. Too quick, too easy. Entertaining all the same.

Wonderful book

I love this book, I have read it a couple times before so I got this audible version and was seriously disappointed to find it is an abridged version which leaves out several parts that I feel are fairly important to the story.

A lot was missing

I am in a book club and chose to get the audio version of this book. I was so disappointed because I figured out from the discussion that I missed so much from the book! Audible should let the reader know that this is an abridged version of the book!

Suspend Reality

If you can suspend reality and enjoy a very light read, this one is for you.

Short version

When I purchased this book I didn’t realize it was the short version. It was okay but became confusing at time because of the pieces missing. I suggest that people read the unabridged version.

great book if u like new york and fables.

I really like this book because it speaks of a life thet i feel would be so great to have lived. I bought this book while i was in new york and now decided to hear how it sounds on audio book. I think who people who have actually lived in new york will feel a greater connection to with this story but all can appreciate the great story of love, time, and destiny.

Enjoyable Listen

This was a well written story and an easy listen. The story was interesting and I enjoyed it. The narrator was good as well.

Forever

This was a very well written book, full of history and well defined characters. I was really impressed by how the author tied in history and recent events. I think it took a lot of courage to take an extra year to finish the book to tie it all together. It is kind of creepy to think about how it all happened. The afterward by the author was very good too.