The Damnable Legacy

By: G. Elizabeth Kretchmer

Narrated by: Jannie Meisberger

Lynn Van Swol still regrets the decision she made 30 years ago to place her daughter up for adoption so she could climb the highest mountains of the world. Frankie Rizzoni is the troubled biological granddaughter Lynn has never known. And Beth Mahoney is a minister's wife with terminal cancer and the only one who knows the relationship between the two. She designs a plan upon her deathbed to bring Lynn and Frankie together, but now, narrating from the afterlife, she must helplessly watch as her legacy threatens to unravel. The Damnable Legacy is a story about both love and survival, exploring the importance of attachment, place, and faith, and asking how far we should go to achieve our goals - and at what cost.

©2016 G. Elizabeth Kretchmer (P)2017 G. Elizabeth Kretchmer

DYNAMITE PLOT, GREAT CHARACTERS

Where does The Damnable Legacy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a wonderful, complex, character-driven novel with a dynamite plot. If you like psychological, dramatic fiction, on the order of Sue Miller, Anne Tyler and Scott Spencer, you'll love this book as much as I do! Kretchmer's original new novel is narrated from the afterlife by a minister's wife and tells the fascinating story of a mountain climbing expedition at Denali and the woman who gave up her child for adoption years ago and does not know she has a granddaughter. A riveting, beautifully written story with a great cast of quirky characters. Absorbing and definitely worth reading! Beautifully read by Jannie Meisberger. Be sure to check it out!

Overall 3.5; performance 4.5; story 3.5 :)

What did you like best about The Damnable Legacy? What did you like least?

Well, it's not a book I'd usually read or listen to; I'd call it a family drama mixed with Christian prose...

As I am not a very religious person, some parts of the story felt a bit too religious for me... Not in the sense that I don't like reading about people's faith, I admire those who have strong religious beliefs - as long as they do not impose them on others. This is where my problem with the book lies: some parts were "overspiritual"... I had a feeling the author wanted to explain her understanding of ideas such as redemption, mourning, loneliness, or faith so much that she overdid it and started preaching... It might be partly coming from the fact that the narrator of the story is a spirit of the dead wife of one of the characters (a former minister). Some of her "comments" on what is happening just sounded too judgemental for me...

That said, I have to admit the story was really engaging in many parts. There were scenes and situations that moved me a lot and evoked strong emotions, some positive, some negative...
One of the tricks that helped the pace were frequent shifts between the two basic plotlines. I liked the plotline following Lynn's climb on Denali better, with the descriptions of the hardships and dangers such a climb inevitably involves. The plotline following Frankie, although also quite interesting, at times felt a little erratic and forced.

Generally I liked the book as it was something different for me, I would rate it 3.5 if I could.
I also think it could be interesting for those who like to read about complex relationships, broken families, emotional burden that giving children for adoption/being adopted brings...
To sum it up - it's worth giving a try.

Which character – as performed by Jannie Meisberger – was your favorite?

I generally liked Ms Meisberger interpretation of the female characters, I did not like, however, the male characters so much.

Ms Meisberger has such a nice voice that when she lowers the pitch she sounds too unnatural - trying to sound more masculine she slows down the speech which has the effect of the character being - at least to my ears :) - on drugs (like Ryan) or furious all the time (like Brad). But I have to admit, the task wasn't easy as there are a lot of male characters for the narrator to read...

On the other hand the way she differentiates female characters is brilliant: Frankie is young and arrogant, Lynn sounds much older and harsh, and Beth, the narrator, at times helpless and worried, at times full of hope - they all sound just about right.

If I could, I would give this interpretation 4.5 stars...

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I would probably prefer to watch it on DVD at home - I'd definitely like to see the Denali climb, but I would be too moved to watch it at the cinema (I hate crying in public and I would definitely cry watching some scenes from the book on screen).

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.

A good read

I was gifted this audio ARC for a honest and unbiased review from the author/narrator.
G.ELIZABETH KRETCHMER wrote a good story of mystery, intrigue,adventure, suspense, a bit of romance, and even a touch of supernatural. Her writing skill is extremely well versed.
JANNIE MEISBERGER made the story flow along at a great place where no adjustments needed to be made.
I highly recommend this audio book to anyone

Great Story

A great story that weaves a story between the after life and the present. There was mystery, danger, love and death. Jannie Meisberger did a great job portraying the characters. I recommend this book/audio to anyone. “I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Two Parallel Universes

This story is told through Beth, a pastor's wife who has passed on. Even in death, she questions where she is and what she needs to do to help a young teenage girl, Frankie. She travels back and fourth between two realms.

In one realm, we meet Lynn. Lynn is a climbing instructor who is working side by side with another instructor leading two other climbers. We learn that one of the climbers is in fact the pastor who Beth was married to. We also learn Beth had a divine intervention in setting this up in order to create the connection between Lynn and Frankie.

The other realm consists of Frankie. Frankie is a troubled teenager who is questioning just who she is and where she came from. Beth follows Frankie along her journey and is determined to make sure she is alright. She watches hoping that the two realms will come together.

Jannie Meisberber is an enjoyable narrator. She has a soft, gorgeous British accent. She's clear, articulate and easy on the ears.

Better the Second Time!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Damnable Legacy to be better than the print version?

Perhaps!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Frankie because she was feisty!

What about Jannie Meisberger’s performance did you like?

Terrific.

Any additional comments?

It’s been a few years since I first read and reviewed the print version of G. Elizabeth Kretchmer’s The Damnable Legacy of a Minister's Wife. When I learned it was available in audio, I couldn’t wait to start listening. The narration is very well done and the pacing kept me intrigued despite having already read the story. I recommend this audio version to anyone looking for an enjoyable mountain climbing adventure.

Good story, sometimes out of touch

This was an interesting story with characters that felt very unique. Even the minor characters had moments that really added to the plot. I enjoyed the switch of chapters between Lynn and Frankie. However as much good parts there were, there was quite a few issues as well.

The scene between Will and Lynn in the tent, even though she declares it wasn’t rape, read certainly as non-consensual and I really don’t appreciate Beth victim blaming and I’ve never been in that situation, but those parts really rubbed me the wrong way. Which pulled the story down for me by one star.

Overall, I would rate this 3 stars. There was good parts, however some of the negatives became very obvious near the end of the book.


Disclaimer: I received a free code in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

The Damnable Legacy

The Damnable Legacy
: G. Elizabeth Kretchmer

A pair of parallel stories that intertwine and weave into a tale that is different from any other I've read/ listened to. There is mystery, intrigue,adventure, suspense, a bit of romance, and even a little supernatural. This kept me listening to find out what is next.

I'd recommend this book for just about anyone.




The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Jannie Meisberger kept the story flowing right along.


“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Weaving suspense with themes of family and home

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The skillful weaving of four stories, including the deceased narrator's, makes for a rich listening experience. As the narrator recounts the victories and defeats, the moments of heartache and heart-swell, in the lives she observes, she also tells of her own. The healing she sought so desperately in life for those she loved, she ultimately needs for herself.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Damnable Legacy?

Frankie Rizzoni, one of my favorite characters, is a spitfire whose antics are creative, rebellious, and sometimes heartbreaking. One of my favorite scenes is when Frankie, in the airport, goes even further than necessary, stealing and lying and posing, to land herself on a plane to get to Ryan.

What about Jannie Meisberger’s performance did you like?

The dynamics in Jannie Meisberger's narration are nothing short of musical.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The backstory scenes between Beth and Ryan are particularly touching as they struggle through the hope and disillusion, the inevitable (and painful) ups and downs that come when dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

Great, heart-warming story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The story follows two events, told by the spirit of a woman who is deeply involved in both storylines: One, about a troubled teen who is looking for a safe haven, and the other a harrowing story of mountain climbing. Both storylines are compelling.