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The Keepers of the House
- Narrated by: Anna Fields
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction
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Publisher's Summary
Shirley Ann Grau is a major American author whose works are often set in New Orleans and Louisiana's Creole region. She often reflects the isolated bayous and their French-speaking residents, but her fiction is equally at home with the fiercely independent people of small Southern towns or the sophisticated life of the New Orleans' upper class. The Keepers of the House won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1965.
What the critics say
- Pulitzer Prize Winner, Fiction, 1965
"Shirley Ann Grau is one of those rare writers who create a world, draw the reader into it, and make him somehow happy there, no matter what goes on....One comes to the novel's end with a sense of loss, and leaves that world with reluctance." (Newsweek)
More from the same
What listeners say about The Keepers of the House
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Pyewacket
- 2007-12-12
Wonderful
I'm working my way through Pulitzer Prize winners for fiction. The exceptional narrator contributes much to the enjoyment of this fascinating story of the deep south spanning three generations. The different voices were so distinct that there seemed to be more than one reader. Told from several characters' perspectives, the story unfolded seamlessly with an unexpected climax. This is one of the best audiobooks I've listened to (out of about 40). My dog appreciated it too, as I stretched out my listening time as long as possible on our walks.
36 people found this helpful
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- Debbie
- 2014-06-24
Good Story, Insufficient Conclusion
This book has been compared to "The Help" by other readers/listeners. There IS NO comparison. It is a well written story and I liked it just fine. There is no discrimination, no abuse of blacks, and I found that refreshing. Abigail grew up playing with and loving the children that her grandfather had with Margaret, a black woman that he lived with after his wife died. Not only did she love the three children, she loved Margaret. The story of Margaret is one of grace and kindness, and the selfless choices that she made for her three children out of love are the best parts of the book. William Howland, Abigail's grandfather, was a simple and good man, wealthy beyond anything that Abigail could have imagined. Overall, the book is low key. The narration is reflective, not passionate. And when it is all said and done, there's no revelation or tying up of loose ends at the conclusion of the book. The ending of a book is a big deal to me, and this one just didn't quite END, it just stopped.
17 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Chimigi
- 2007-03-29
very enjoyable
It started slow but I truly enjoyed this book. The narrator is also very good. Highly recommended.
25 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Charlice
- 2008-02-04
Complex Story, Well-Narrated
This book was a little slow at first and, at times, my attention wandered during the lengthy descriptions of scenery. However, the story does draw you in. It is not formulaic or predictable. The characters are complex and mysterious. The end was a bit unsatisfying only because I really wanted to know more. Finally, the book is read really, really well.
10 people found this helpful
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- Suzn F
- 2013-09-03
Complex yet Somehow Unsatisfying
This book has kept me thinking for three days now after finishing the story. What I'm thinking about is exactly how I feel about this book. And I'm just not sure. There were some parts of this book that were really quite amazing and worthwhile and yet overall I just couldn't warm to the book. As I write this review perhaps I'm figuring it out, the crux of it for me is the word warmth. I just couldn't warm to even one character, they were all wooden somehow. Although Ms. Grau gives the listener/reader several complex interesting characters who were in many ways well fleshed out, yet not one I can think of showed very much humanity or compassion, just no warmth. Grandfather William was distant, quiet, firm and efficient. The main character Abigail (William's granddaughter) is at times strong and yet submissive, angry and self serving; Abigail's mother is distant and depressed. Margaret (William's second partner, his first wife died early in their marriage)is the most interesting character; she is silent and strong yet she is very removed while always present. Abigail's husband John is just plainly a self serving ass. Then I ask myself is it essential for the characters in this book to have exhibited warmth? Of course the answer is no, not every character must be warm and fuzzy. However most or at least some people do show that they care for others especially within their family, so I guess I just couldn't totally buy it the way it was served up in this book. The narrator did a wonderful job narrating. So this one sure is an interesting mix.
12 people found this helpful
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- MJI
- 2018-08-25
Incredible!
What a great view of our not so distant past. I’m surprised at those who didn’t like the beginning - which seemed to me to be the essential backdrop of the story. Lyrical and very Southern in the telling. Important for those not born and bred in the south. Stories so important for us to remember so that we can keep them from repeating! The narrator was superlative!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Gina
- 2007-11-12
I cannot believe how good this book is
This book is so good. I feel like i know these people. It's so true that a good book is timeless.
10 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Corina
- 2011-08-16
Perfect Narration
Anna Fields has a convincing accent. Her voice matched the protagonists cold and vindictive mindset.
4 people found this helpful
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- Bunny Bee the Ethereal
- 2017-06-14
History is the story of one's past....
Past we can never escape. no matter how far we run or hide...from we can not run or hide from ourselves. ....this book is an excellent example of real life. just as we live it today.
1 person found this helpful
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- rfogle
- 2017-02-27
loved it
This was such a good book! the narration couldn't of been better. It seemed as tho several people were doing the narration, how she separated the characters.
1 person found this helpful