The Violent Bear It Away

De: Flannery O’ Connor

Narrado por: Mark Bramhall

First published in 1960, The Violent Bear It Away is now a landmark in American literature. It is a dark and absorbing example of the gothic sensibility and bracing satirical voice that are united in Flannery O'Conner's work. In it, the orphaned Francis Marion Tarwater and his cousin, Rayber, defy the prophecy of their dead uncle - that Tarwater will become a prophet and will baptize Rayber's young son, Bishop. A series of struggles ensue, as Tarwater fights an internal battle against his innate faith and the voices calling him to be a prophet, while Rayber tries to draw Tarwater into a more “reasonable” modern world. Both wrestle with the legacy of their dead relatives and lay claim to Bishop's soul.

O'Connor observes all this with an astonishing combination of irony and compassion, humor and pathos. The result is a novel whose range and depth reveal a brilliant and innovative writer acutely alert to where the sacred lives and where it does not.

©1960 Flannery O'Connor (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“There is very little contemporary fiction which touches the level of Flannery O’Connor at her best.” ( New York Herald Tribune)

“I am sure her books will live on and on in American literature.” (Elizabeth Bishop, American poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner)

Biblical, American and Absolutely Brutal

O'Connor was ruthless in her vision. The struggle of Tarwater and his uncle Rayber against their joint destinies and the pull of fundamentalism and secularism is fully realized in this short novel. The Violent Bear it Away is biblical, American and absolutely brutal in both its imagery of destruction and language of redemption. I can only think of a handful of writers who seem to grab both my brain, my spine and my gut at the same time. O'Connor can't be over-appreciated; she was an absolute genius of passion and power. So brilliant and terrible was this novel, that I still exceedingly fear and quake.

Expertly read edition

This book is easily one of the best I have ever listened to. It is Flanery O'Connor, so one must be prepared to read this text like someone who understands literature. Remember that O'Connor is deeply rooted in Catholicism, and scholasticism. Remember that she is first and foremost a committed Christian. Her characters will be grotesque, and there will be tremendous violence and disturbing images, but the book will stick with you forever. It will point to deeper transcendent truths that are timeless and eternal.

Reading Flannery O'Connor will enrich your life, but please understand that you are not listening to surface level romance novels / John Grisham stuff here. This takes hard work and patience, but it is work that will be deeply enriching should you undertake it.

The narration is perfect. The southern accent throughout is very important, and the individual voices of each character are pitch perfect. Simply outstanding.

Not for the faint of heart

Such a beautiful writer. So wonderfully narrated. Such a profound and unsentimental exploration of grace. Also shocking, sickening, heartbreaking. Worth a read.

Selfish Hearts

Great narrator. Gripping, dark portrayal of the selfishness of the human heart. O Connor's descriptive power is mesmerizing.

Excellent performance

Very well read. Mr. Bramhall made the story come alive with his accents and drawl. The story was an interesting look at our capture from the evil one and how we may respond.

Everyone should experience this writing.

Not an easy story but the the intense masterful writing makes it an essential read. The reader does it justice. My first O’Connor, will not be my last.

Fiery Parable

Brilliant tough novel. Unflinching. I can't say what it means, but I think I can feel it

Excellent

O'Connor is an excellent writer. This audiobook had a good narrator who was able to capture the tone of the book.

Mark Bramhall is phenomenal

Where does The Violent Bear It Away rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the best.

What did you like best about this story?

The narration really helped to capture the grotesque nature of the characters.

What about Mark Bramhall’s performance did you like?

The manner in which he made the different characters come to life.

Classic Flannery

What made the experience of listening to The Violent Bear It Away the most enjoyable?

the realism in the telling of the story

What did you like best about this story?

the almost expected outcome of this freight train coming at full throttle

What does Mark Bramhall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

excellent characterizations - outstanding performance

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Violent Bear It Away

Any additional comments?

A good reading adds great value to the story - it is truly a performance