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The Last Days of Dogtown

A Novel

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The Last Days of Dogtown

By: Anita Diamant
Narrated by: Kate Nelligan
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“An excellent novel. A lovely and moving portrait of society’s outcasts…affirms the essential humanity of its poor and stubborn residents, for whom each day of survival is a victory” (The New York Times Book Review).

Set on the high ground at the heart of Cape Ann in the early 1800s, the village of Dogtown is peopled by widows, orphans, spinsters, scoundrels, whores, free Africans, and “witches.”

Among the inhabitants of this hamlet are Black Ruth, who dresses as a man and works as a stonemason; Mrs. Stanley, an imperious madam whose grandson, Sammy, comes of age in her brothel; Oliver Younger, who survives a miserable childhood at the hands of his aunt; and Cornelius Finson, a freed slave. At the center of it all is Judy Rhines, a fiercely independent soul, deeply lonely, who nonetheless builds a life for herself against all imaginable odds.

Rendered in stunning, haunting detail, with Anita Diamant’s keen ear for language and profound compassion for her characters, The Last Days of Dogtown is an extraordinary retelling of a long-forgotten chapter of early American life.©2005 Anita Diamant; (P)2005 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division. Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Africa Village
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Couldn't switch this one off, the characters were so well described within the narrative and conversation of the other characters.

Compelling listening

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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

couldn't finish it as too boring

Would you ever listen to anything by Anita Diamant again?

I have read Anita Diamant before and enjoyed very disappointed this time.

Have you listened to any of Kate Nelligan’s other performances? How does this one compare?

well read

Could you see The Last Days of Dogtown being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

pass

not gripping enough to finish listening

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Felt like I was there alongside everyone..wonderful story and narration was simply lovely x

Captivating

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Powerful, sad, joyful, real and somehow hopeful.
Very good story read by an excellent performer who kept the right tones of the tale. I seldom cry at reading a book but this moved me so much. Thank you.

Excellent, raw yet hopeful

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