The Father's Tale

A Novel

By: Michael O'Brien

Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien

Canadian bookseller Alex Graham is a middle-age widower whose quiet life is turned upside down when his college-age son disappears without any explanation or trace of where he has gone. With minimal resources, the father begins a long journey that takes him away from his safe and orderly world for the first time.

As he stumbles across the merest thread of a trail, he follows it in blind desperation, and is led step by step on an odyssey that takes him to fascinating places and, sometimes, to frightening people and perils.

Through the uncertainty and the anguish, the loss and the longing, Graham is pulled into conflicts between nations, as well as the eternal conflict between good and evil. Stretched nearly to the breaking point by the inexplicable suffering he witnesses and experiences, he discovers unexpected sources of strength as he presses onward in the hope of recovering his son—and himself.

©2011 Ignatius Press (P)2023 Ignatius Press

Distracting voice performances

The story is beautiful. The characters are well formed. There are times where the story stalls but is then spurred along to the next phase.
The challenge with this book in particular was the reader’s voices. They sounded like they should belong to a muppet or cartoon. The primary character was given a sniveling spineless tone. Too many characters sounded like they were shouting.
I would read this book again to reap the spiritual and cultural expressions. But I would likely read the text myself instead of listen to the silly narrations.

Annoying Reader

The narrator has too many voices. I really don't like Alex's voice or personality. His whiney voice drives me crazy. Sounds like a woman half the time.

Distracted by dialect

Narrator had pleasant voice until he began speaking in dialect for various characters. Story line, descriptions are good except for long introspective digressions with flights of mysticism. Book is painfully long. Part 4 seems tacked on to bring book to a close with loose ends neatly tied.

Voices are incredibly grating

I’m about 80% through and I just don’t know if I can take another angry, shrill tirade from the voice actor. (Yes, I know it’s his son. That’s no excuse!)

A beautiful story of a father’s faith and love

This story broke my heart and healed it all at once. “A broken heart is the only whole heart”. The unexpected twists and turns, connections will keep you hoping and guessing the whole time. The cast of characters is so memorable and I really wish I could visit the Kingfisher bookstore, not to mention Siberia in Spring. I was sad this story had to end.

Beautiful and gripping story!

The story is perfectly paced, engaging, suspenseful, and full of warm complexity. The narrator….boggles the mind. Why an otherwise wonderful actor and reader would choose to do voices the way he does is beyond me. He missed his calling as a Muppet.

Amazing story on the beauty of fatherhood

One of the best books about how fatherhood is an imperfect image of God, and yet, when tested in fire is the closest imagine we have of God’s boundless love. I am a mother and this book healed my in many ways! Praise God!

Great story despite the narration

I really enjoyed this book however, the voices that the narrator created were grating at times

A Beautiful Book

Absolutely stunning story. So inspired. Was impressed by the narrator’s accents but wished the main character was stronger sounding. Would 10/10 recommend this book!

Just read it

not a fan of this audio performance. The story is really great, if a little long.