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Asta's Book
- Narrated by: Harriet Walter
- Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense
Non-member price: $29.92
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Publisher's Summary
It is 1905. Asta and her husband, Rasmus, have come to East London from Denmark with their two little boys. With Rasmus constantly away on business, Asta keeps loneliness and isolation at bay by writing a diary. These diaries, published over 70 years later, reveal themselves to be more than a mere journal. For they seem to hold the key to an unsolved murder and to the mystery of a missing child. It falls to Asta's granddaughter, Ann, to unearth the buried secrets of nearly a century before.
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What listeners say about Asta's Book
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Cathie Dalliwall
- 13-10-2016
Intriguing
I found this to be a wonderful story to listen to - most enjoyable -
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- Ilana
- 01-10-2012
Confusing, by it could just have been me
It is 1905 and Asta Westerby and her husband Rasmus have just moved to England from Denmark with their two boys, with a third child on the way, which Asta dearly hopes will be a girl. Asta tells her story through a series of journals, in which she writes sporadically about various events, describing her family life; her marriage, her children, her maid, which make up her whole universe. Asta has an independent spirit and was not necessarily cut out to be a wife and mother, but she accepts her lot because other alternatives don't seem appealing or feasible. But this is only part of the story, because the other part takes place in a contemporary setting, sometime in the 90s, which is when this book was published. Asta's granddaughter Ann has come into her inheritance now that her aunt Swanny has passed away. Swanny was Asta's favourite child and having discovered her mother's journals after her passing, decided to have them translated and published with tremendous success. Now Ann is responsible for the manuscripts and intends to continue publishing additional volumes. But there are various mysteries to be found in what have become historical artifacts. Swanny was never able to learn the truth about her true identity after receiving an anonymous letter telling her she was not in fact Asta's child, something which Asta herself refused to confirm on way or another. Is the answer to be found in one of the volumes? But there are also mentions about a horrible crime which was a sensation in it's time, with Alfred Roper accused of murdering his wife and the disappearance of their young toddler Lizzie. Was Swanny that Roper child? And if not, what happened to Lizzie? These are mysteries which Ann and a friend producing a movie about the murder mystery are out to solve.
The premise of this novel seemed very interesting, but I found the story very confusing, with two seemingly completely separate stories and families that had nothing in common somehow connected in a way which is only revealed at the very end. Perhaps this is a story which benefits from a second reading. Then again, perhaps my own mind is too muddled to understand a plot which doesn't follow a familiar narrative style. I also kept wondering why Asta's journals had become such hugely successful books, as they didn't seem to make for such gripping reading on their own. Don't let my confused ramblings about this book influence you though, because it seems to have met with a lot of appreciation with other readers.
8 people found this helpful
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- james d. thomas
- 26-08-2011
Brilliant Reading of a Classic Novel
Originally published in the US as "Anna's Book" this Ruth Rendell novel provides an exceptional portrait of three generations of woman in London from 1905 until the mid-sixties. Deservedly a modern classic, the reading perfectly matches and enhances the text. Ms Walter subtly differentiates each of the three women and finds every moment of humor, frustration and suspense as the diaries are used to solve a sixty year old mystery. Leisurely paced this is a novel more about character than event and an extraordinary listening experience.
8 people found this helpful
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- JReader
- 16-03-2012
Enthralling Multi-generational Mystery Story
Where does Asta's Book rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?
I loved this audiobook - definitely one of my favorites so far. Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine is a superb mystery writer. I've listened to, or read, everything she's ever written.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Asta's Book?
The most memorable parts of the book for me were in the early chapters where Asta writes in her diary of her early life after immigrating from Denmark to London with her husband, the birth of their children, of Swanny's place in the family, and their rise from near poverty to a life of upper class wealth. Asta herself was a contradiction: tough and cold sometimes, and yet warm and motherly too. She was a survivor first of all and you get the feeling that she would endure anything to get what she wanted. The psychological makeup and interraction between Rendell's characters are what makes her stuff so good.
What does Harriet Walter bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?
Harriet Walter brought life to the characters with her scandinavian accent and superb narration. There's nothing worse for an audiobook experience than a bad narrator or better than a good one.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I loved it - from the first word to the last. I looked forward to my long commutes so that I could listen to the book without interruption.
5 people found this helpful
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- Yennta
- 20-03-2012
One of her best
Ruth Rendell is a great modern novelest, especially when she writes as Barbara Vine. This one is less weird but much more complex than most, and the main character is fascinating.
2 people found this helpful
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- Zonifer
- 19-01-2014
Harriet Walter reading brings mystery to life
Would you listen to Asta's Book again? Why?
Absolutely. Harriet Walter's reading is so extraordinarily good, so convincing, I would listen to the book again just to appreciate it all over again.
What did you like best about this story?
The story is generational, and told from the points of view of three women in the same family over the course of a century. All the characters are compelling, and Walter makes them all distinct so that they all draw you in.
What does Harriet Walter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
First of all, since Asta's character is originally from Denmark, it's important that the reader be able to do a convincing Danish accent for large segments of the book, because her background is so much a part of Asta's character, and the themes of immigrants, changing identities and self-definition and re-definition are at the core of the novel. Walter produces these different voices, accents and characters with seeming ease, and this is saying quite a lot, because there are sections here and there in which she must actually speak a few lines in Danish. I don't know whether Walter actually speaks the language, but even if she was only well coached to be able to deliver the requisite lines, it was very convincing. But more generally speaking, the quality that Walter brings to her reading is a sort of unhurried thoughtfulness that pervades every line. You never feel her either rushing or pushing or bringing herself forward in the performance. Rather, she uses her beautiful, soft-spoken voice to give the characters life. Except, of course, when a character is brusque, or tough or some other quality that requires vocal strength or harshness, which Walter then also delivers. One of her funnier characterizations (among many fine ones) is that of Lisa, a rather vulgar young American girl. Often British actors over-simplify American accents, over-emphasizing "r"s and flat "a"s and not really getting the vowels sounds right, or being specific enough about our regional accents. Walter does NOT fall into this trap. Her Lisa was, again, utterly convincing, and I could not even recognize Walter's own voice in her portrayal.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Rather than make me laugh or cry, the book kept me enthralled and I couldn't put it down; I just had to listen to it over the better part of two days straight. None of the characters are particularly sentimental; this is Barbara Vine, after all.
Any additional comments?
Well, obviously, I think if anyone who likes psychological mystery is really going to enjoy this book. In Asta's Book, Barbara Vine finds a perfect interpreter in Harriet Walter.
1 person found this helpful
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- Christine
- 12-11-2012
Intriguing mystery with that added Barbara Vine tw
Would you listen to Asta's Book again? Why?
Yes. Even though you know the ending there are still layers not captured in the first listening.
What did you like best about this story?
The intrigue, the complex layers and the number of stories within a story.
What about Harriet Walter’s performance did you like?
Excellent reader. She really became part of the story.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 30-06-2020
An excellent story excellently performed
This is Ruth Rendell at her finest, really, weaving an engrossing tale full of captivating, believable characters. Harriet Walter’s narration is perfection.
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- Amelia
- 26-06-2018
Even better the second time around
Barbara Vine/Ruth Rendell is one of my favorite writers. I've read them all. Conventionally, that is. I'm still mourning her death. But frankly, I can't remember plots anymore, and Harriet Walter is an amazing narrator (see Olivia Manning) so I thought I would give this one another shot. (I also read another Barbara Vine she narrated, but it doesn't seem to be here anymore.)
So fantastic. So rich. So complicated. And thankfully, I didn't remember a thing! It's a little difficult to read Vine in this manner, as she takes her time clueing you into who the characters are, what they're on about, how they're related to one another, and you can't go back and skim. (Unless you take the book out of the library, as I did, but that way lies madness.) It eventually all becomes clear. And it's riveting. I'm sure some people will think this is slow, but ignore them. This is what audio reading is all about.
Enjoy.
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- night owl
- 09-02-2017
Not one of her best
I'm a big fan of Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine,so I was disappointed with this offering. Part of the story is intriguing and holds one's interest, but a lot is slow and boring.I really don't think that diary would be a big seller.Like all Rendell books it is atmospheric and unforgettable.
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- Ellen
- 09-04-2016
Haunting characters and story
The storyline of this book is complex and, at times, a bit hard to follow. I found myself going back over chapters at several points. Admittedly, this partly due to the fact that I like listening to Audible as I fall asleep. But it was also b/c of the way in which the story unfolds. This might be annoying in some books, but it completely works in this one, as the main "mystery" of the book is being very carefully unwrapped through the eyes of a few different characters.
The three central characters are women, and they were really well developed by the author. The narrator adds so much to the character development --- I want to listen to other stories she had narrated!
The ONLY reason I did not assign five stars is that the storyline bogged down a bit midway through the book. If you find you have the same experience, keep going! Well worth the read/listen.
Be forewarned that this is not a mystery story in the traditional sense. If you like strong and interesting female characters and the atmosphere of a haunting mystery (rather than only the usual plot line of a standard mystery), you likely will love this book.
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- Carrie
- 22-11-2010
Intriguing Story
If you are not a speaker of danish and not aware, as i was not, that the pronunciation is not correct, then the delivery of this captivating story is near perfect. It is unfortunate to give such a quality novel and beautiful reading an average rating of three stars, as the previous reviewer did, on a point which will be irrelevant to most listeners. One of the best Barbara Vine stories read with feeling.
8 people found this helpful
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- Sussex Reader
- 25-10-2011
BRILLIANT!
If I could give this book 10 stars I would - what an amazing story, and so well read - I usually prefer male narrators, but Harriet Walter (an amazing actress!) does this justice, and more. Because the story is so long I HAD to put it down, but would have much preferred not to... Highly recommended.
7 people found this helpful
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- Molly
- 11-05-2016
Not her best but still good
Any additional comments?
I bought this after listening to Dark Adapted Eye, which was amazing.
This is good but you struggle to identify with the eponymous Asta.
2 people found this helpful
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- Cleopatra
- 04-11-2020
A favourite read and now a favourite listen
Asta's book by Barbara Vine has been one of my favourite books of all times and one I last read over ten years ago. I decided to revisit the story by audiobook and I'm so glad I did, the story was as wonderful as I remembered and the narrator a delight to listen to.
Why a favourite book? Barbara Vine (Ruth Rendell) has created a book within a book and that technique is not only hugely clever, it is so appealing. One story is the story of Asta's first-born daughter the secondary story is of a crime committed at the beginning of the twentieth century and a trial for murder. Both stories are utterly compelling and both have a whole barrelful of red herrings.
1 person found this helpful
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- SM, Scotland
- 08-08-2020
Intriguing throughout, complex and unguessable
This is my favourite Barbara Vine so far. Complex story and brilliant characters. Kept me guessing right to the end. Harriet Walter's narration is always spot on.
1 person found this helpful
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- Angela Sorensen
- 01-07-2020
Fantastic murder mystery, missing person
Such a suspenseful delve into the intricacies of personal relationships and thinking you know someone well until you hear their own words. Family mysteries come to light and just when you think you've learned all the secrets another clue comes to throw you off course. Wonderful performance!
1 person found this helpful
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- Wendy Ladell
- 13-11-2019
Outstanding
This is on my top 5 best ever books. I have looked it up and cannot understand why it is not a bestseller. Intriguing, mystery, well written. Cannot put it down. This audio recording is one of my best
1 person found this helpful
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- Bee
- 16-02-2018
Intriguing and calming
I found the pace and tone relaxing. The story is a mystery but also a sensitive examination of human emotions and the complexities of life.
1 person found this helpful
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- Cressida59
- 07-10-2017
Unputdownable!
Beautifully read by Harriet Walter, this book takes you on a journey lasting almost a century . Walter's reading of the diary entries is exquisite. Highly recommend
1 person found this helpful
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- hfffoman
- 25-09-2015
Reeks of poor quality writing and dull too
Would you ever listen to anything by Barbara Vine again?
Definitely not
Have you listened to any of Harriet Walter’s other performances? How does this one compare?
Yes, Harriet Walter's reading is wonderful and was the reason I chose the book (plus some very positive reviews which I am sorry to say must have been written by people with a very different idea of good writing from mine)
If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Asta's Book?
Nearly all of the first half of the book could be cut. It is utterly dull and fulfils little purpose other than to create a feeble and overly drawn out suspense for what is to come
Any additional comments?
When I read a book I get a strong feel for whether it is intelligently and carefully written. I have an open mind and love to find the best in a book but this one gave me bad feelings all the way from the beginning until half way through when I returned it to audible. It has a poor quality feel full of trite remarks and cliches; in particular the diary, despite the best efforts of poor Ms Walter, didn't feel at all authentic.
1 person found this helpful
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