Wake of the Perdido Star

By: Gene Hackman, Daniel Lenihan

Narrated by: James Daniels

Jack O' Reilly is a 17-year-old New Englander who in 1805, sails with his parents on the Perdido Star to Cuba, his mother's birthplace, to claim the land she inherited. But for Jack, the trip that began with high hopes and the excitement of a new life, becomes a descent into violence and revenge. His parents murdered, their land confiscated, his own life nearly taken, Jack is forced to rejoin the Star as a member of the crew, sailing through the world's most treacherous waters under a drink-crazed captain.

His soul seared and his heart calloused, his obsession to get back to the killer of his parents dominates his life. And so the boy Jackson O'Reilly becomes the pirate "Black Jack", the relentless scourge of any who stand in his path to retribution, until a daring rescue of two of his mates teaches him that there are other emotions then anger, other feelings then hatred and mistrust.

©2008 Gene Hackman and Daniel Lenihan (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

beautifully done

I liked it and would love another! I was reluctant because I was worried a famous person was useing their name to get to write a book but my worries did not come true for it was a very good to great book!

Bravo

A great adventure story. I don't know why Audible doesn't have an adventure category. That is my favorite genre and this book falls in there easily. I imagine Errol Flynn playing Blackjack, but I am old and most of the readers will not know his pictures. It is a page turner that I almost missed because for some reason I could not get the sound bite for the book to work. I never have downloaded a book without checking out the narrator until this one. Not to worry though, as the narrator does a very fine job and is easy to listen to. I finally let my curiosity over how Gene Hackman would do as an author override my doubts. If you like adventure and action books don't pass on this one.

great book thanks

it was a great adventure. a little different than I'm used to. but what fun

Unexpected

My husband and I listened to this on Road trip and I was pleasantly surprised, I really enjoyed it as did he.. We laughed and wondered what was next...some was predictable but surprises ad well. I'd listen to it again in a year or so!

Was good overall

Book was decent. Few times it missed a few details in the story. Once it talked about submarines and the war, I imagine it was talking about WW1 but that was later on. Other than that though it was good and I enjoyed the story.

A great adventure tale.

This is a great story that feels familiar enough to get right into but with enough originality to keep you in the story. I only wish there was a sequel, this feels like it should be the first part of a series. Even though the main plot line is resolved at the end, the characters and writing style are so appealing you want more.

Great Book

Loved it! I laughed I gasped and smiled a lot. I look forward to telling others about this book.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish.

I was really impressed with the character development the story twist and the overall excellent backdrop of the early 1800s.

A High Seas Adventure

What made the experience of listening to Wake of the Perdido Star the most enjoyable?

I bought the hard cover edition of this book because I am a Gene Hackman fan and love a good nautical tale. I loved this book and decided to try and find it on audio CD. My two choices were cassette or Audible. This one book lead me to my Audible addiction.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the adventure of this story. It must have played to my inner child. I was a fan of Moby Dick and Treasure Island when I was growing up. This story has elements of both. Maybe it was my love of pirate movies when I was a kid. Alas, 13 years later, I guess there will not be a sequel.

What about James Daniels???s performance did you like?

James's voice adds great dimension to the voices of the main characters and the ships crew. From pirate speak of the crew to Jack's Cuban mother, I forgot I was listening to one voice.

Who was the most memorable character of Wake of the Perdido Star and why?

Jack, the protagonist was the most memorable character. Jack starts of as a angry young man bent on revenge and matures into the hero.

Didn’t want to stop listening

I enjoyed this story with characters described so well it was like watching a movie in my mind. Who knew Gene Hackman (co-authored with Daniel Lenihan) was such a talented author. Great listen!