The Promise

By: Ann Weisgarber

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

From the author of The Personal History of Rachel Dupree, shortlisted for the Orange Award for New Writers and longlisted for the Orange Prize.

1900. Young pianist Catherine Wainwright flees the fashionable town of Dayton, Ohio in the wake of a terrible scandal. Heartbroken and facing destitution, she finds herself striking up correspondence with a childhood admirer, the recently widowed Oscar Williams. In desperation she agrees to marry him, but when Catherine travels to Oscar's farm on Galveston Island, Texas—a thousand miles from home—she finds she is little prepared for the life that awaits her. The island is remote, the weather sweltering, and Oscar's little boy Andre is grieving hard for his lost mother. And though Oscar tries to please his new wife, the secrets of the past sit uncomfortably between them.

Meanwhile for Nan Ogden, Oscar’s housekeeper, Catherine’s sudden arrival has come as a great shock. For not only did she promise Oscar’s first wife that she would be the one to take care of little Andre, but she has feelings for Oscar which she is struggling to suppress. And when the worst storm in a generation descends, the women will find themselves tested as never before.

©2013, 2014 Ann Weisgarber (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Enthralled

The story pulls you in and keeps you in from the opening moment to its "unwanted" ending. Though I moved away as a young woman, I grew up on the Texas coast near Galveston where we went every summer for family outings. I had been through more than one Texas hurricane and had heard about the major storm of 1900, but didn't know much about it till I was older. The Promise was set in my grandparents era, but the author's words "took me back to Texas" and painted a world I could see from beginning to end. Only a highly skilled writer can place a reader "inside the scenes" as though you were being "allowed" to know the most private thoughts and actions of the characters. The narrator was pitch perfect for each character. I wanted it to be longer and to end the way I hoped it would end. But I won't soon forget this book!

Riveting

This was an extremely well-crafted story. I loved getting to know all the characters and hated to see the book end. I've never been to Galveston, but certainly feel like I've been there after enjoying this novel. The narration was SUPERB! Accents were exceptional and utterly believable. Lovers of historical fiction should not miss this literary opportunity!

Loved this historical fiction book

Having lived in Texas near Galveston, I was very interested in reading this story. It was very engaging and gave insight into life in 1900, including the absence of Hurricane warnings and preparations. The 1900 Galveston hurricane still stands as the disaster with the most lives lost. At the end of the story, I wished it would keep going. This book is one that I think I will listen to more than once.,

Exellent Narration

Wow! Truly excellent narration of a good story. Coleen Marlo really caught the differing accents and gave an inspired quality to the story.

Better than i expected

Beautifully read - I don't think I would have enjoyed nearly as much if I had simply read it. Sad, poignant, illuminating is The Promise.

What a beautiful emotional boo 😪

I don't know what to say...This was an exciting, survivor story. I won't give it away but I'm still crying...I will definitely read & listen again. It's gives you a sense of love between two people. The yearning and warmth between them...only to be lost at the end. Recommend for everyone but the last chapter was the hardest to take..my year are over flowing now.

disappointed in the ending

I felt like the ending should have had some kind of hope! I've never read a book with such a terribly sad ending! The narrator did an amazing job!!!

Really, really good!

I truly liked this story. The ending was a surprise and it kept me interested from beginning to the very, very end. The narrator was fantastic. I highly recommend this story.

Powerful and gripping

Knowing of this devastating historical hurricane, kept me nervous and anxious as the story progressed. It was a good story line with well defined characters.

A great read

I liked the character development. The book was well read. I could hardly set it aside to go to bed!