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The Painted Bird cover art

The Painted Bird

Written by: Jerzy Kosinski
Narrated by: Fred Berman, Michael Aronov
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Publisher's Summary

Originally published in 1965, The Painted Bird established Jerzy Kosinski as a major literary figure. Called by the Los Angeles Times "one of the most imposing novels of the decade" it was eventually translated into more than 30 languages.

A harrowing story that follows the wanderings of a boy abandoned by his parents during World War II, The Painted Bird is a dark masterpiece that examines the proximity of terror and savagery to innocence and love. It is the first, and the most famous, novel by one of the most important and original writers of this century.

©1965 Jerzy N. Kosinski (P)2010 HighBridge Company

What the critics say

"One of the best. . . . Written with deep sincerity and sensitivity." (Elie Wiesel, The New York Times Book Review)
"Extraordinary... literally staggering...one of the most powerful books I have ever read." ( Harper’s magazine)

What listeners say about The Painted Bird

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fantastic, worth the listen

Whatever qualms I had with this book were regarded in the afterwords by the author. This is a great read, not for the faint of heart. i knew i had to review this because not only is the story great, the narration only adds to the vision, sending chills down my spine. Some people view it differently, but i like to think of this like the movie martyrs. its not just blind violence. it leaves you feeling something because it feels believable even in an obviously fictitious realm. there is a point to the madness in the childs struggle between good and evil. worth the listen, i couldnt stop!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I don't like it. You should read it.

A well written and told story. I highly recommend it. I do not like it.

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  • Overall
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Raw and Unapologetic

So much to say.

In short, it is a dark and twisted tale of adventure unlike anything ever heard before.

But it is not adventure that is anchored in goodness, but instead the horror that is the reality of untamed humanity.

There are few sparks of light and hope to be found here, but instead a sort of study into the minds of the rural masses during the onset of World War 2.

This story speaks for the ones who have never had a voice. And we still are unsure of what they said.

The narrator is wonderful is his delivery of delicately unraveling the world from the eyes of a young boy. The writing, of course, is transcendent. It is an example of showing without explaining, but showing through the eyes of a child.

If you are ready for a tale like this, then there is no better vehicle to put the reader in a place in time that history has forgotten. But make absolutely no mistake: this is not a story for the light hearted.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Best narrator I've ever had

Great book. Didn't find it as disturbing as the book "The Rape of Nanking", but definitely a very dark novel

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