Uncle Bernac: A Memory of the Empire
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Read by Cate Barratt
Looking for a replacement to Sherlock Holmes after the author had killed him off in 1894, Doyle wrote this murder mystery in the dying years of the 19th century. Set in Napoleon's era, it involves a Frenchman returning to his native land to join the Emperor's ranks. (Summary by Cathy Barratt) (4 hr 39 min)
Chapters
Reviews
If you're thinking of giving this title a miss . . .
FeliciaK.
I nearly passed this one by. My first attempt was cut short by a rash dislike of the reader's fast paced style, but I'd heard almost all of Sir Doyle's other books and was desperate to hear one more. That, and the fact that this recording received such high reviews by so many other listeners caused me to return and try again. I'm so glad I did! The reader's manner of speaking is a bit unusual but it's worth sticking with. After a chapter or two I became more accustomed to the speed of her reading and by the third or fourth, maybe fifth, I quite liked the singularly unique tone it leant to the whole story. Definitely glad I gave it a second chance!
Very Good Story
Dash
Very enjoyable story, ACD depicted Napoleon very well, and I feel like I know quite a lot after reading it. The reader’s fast pace wasn’t to my liking, and I am disappointed he didn’t keep going with it. Still much better than most of the books I read now, and I feel it definitely compares with Sherlock Holmes despite a month ago before my reading of The White Company, Sir Nigel, and this , I had thought nothing could ever compare to Sherlock Holmes.
Great Conan Doyle
ListeninginChicago
What a great book! I have enjoyed listening to some of Conan Doyle's books OTHER than Sherlock Holmes. This is a great one - very well read, and with some interesting insights into what it meant to be French in the time of Napoleon.
Brett Miller
as usual, Doyle is a master story teller
Randall
Randall Morton
Good narration and exciting story.
intresting book, and very nice reading.
Cziburka
Elaine
I too found this by accident listening to all cate Barrett stories and really enjoyed it . As to the speak that she reads I find it great how she can pronounce all those french words like it’s her native tongue . You can slow the narrative down by clicking on the hare and using the speed bar to increase or decrease the recording
Interesting historical novel
Jdh Moto
The story wasn't what I expected, but it was paced well and ended with an in depth character study not found in modern historical treatments. The reading is quite good, but only after slowing down the pace. I'm glad I listened, it was worth it.