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The Sins of the Mother  By  cover art

The Sins of the Mother

By: Danielle Steel
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's summary

Every woman makes choices. And no one has made more difficult choices than Olivia Grayson. The enormously successful businesswoman missed out on much of her children’s lives while she built her legendary home-furnishings empire. In Danielle Steel’s character-rich novel, Olivia faces the past, tries to balance the present and make amends where due, while still running her vastly successful business.

As a way of making up to them for time lost, Olivia spends months each year planning a holiday that everyone in her family will enjoy. This summer she has arranged a dream trip in the Mediterranean on a luxurious yacht, which she hopes will be the most memorable vacation of all. Her lavish gesture every year expresses her love for them, and regret at all the important times she missed during her children’s younger years. Her younger daughter, Cassie, a hip London music producer, refuses the invitation altogether, as she does every year. Her older daughter, Liz, lives in her mother’s shadow, with a terror of failure as she tries to recapture her dream of being a writer. And her sons, John and Phillip, work for Olivia, for better or worse, with wives who wish they didn’t.

In the splendor of the Riviera, this should be a summer to remember, with Olivia’s children, grandchildren, and daughters-in-law on board. But as with any family gathering, there are always surprises, and no matter how glamorous the setting, things don’t always turn out as one hopes.

Family dynamics are complicated, old disappointments die hard, and as forgiveness and surprising revelations enter into it, new bonds are formed, and the future takes on a brighter hue. And one by one, with life’s irony, Olivia’s children find themselves committing the same "sins" for which they blamed their mother for so many years. It is a summer of compassion, important lessons, and truth.

The Sins of the Mother captures the many sides of family love: complex, challenging, funny, passionate, and hopefully enduring. Along the way, we are enthralled by an unforgettable heroine, a mother strong enough to take more than her fair share of the blame, wise enough to respect her children for who they really are, and forgiving enough to love them unconditionally.

©2012 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved (P)2012 Danielle Steel

What listeners say about The Sins of the Mother

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Loved it

What did you love best about The Sins of the Mother?

The story, this is the best Danielle Steel book I have read in years. I rarely purchase her books if the narrater is male. I find a female suits this type of story so much more.I could not put this book down and will read it again.The story is so complete you enjoy every bit I just did not want it to end. It was a pleasure to listen too. I have some of her books with a male narrator but find them a trial it is like listening to a speech sometimes, particularly one male who is really bad. Altho I would like to buy some of these book I do not and will not buy her books again unless we have a female narrator.

Which character – as performed by Cassandra Campbell – was your favorite?

Olivia she was so well read but then again Cassandra was amazing with every character.

If you could rename The Sins of the Mother, what would you call it?

The name was perfect.

Any additional comments?

It is a great book my favourite Danielle Steel ever and much better than any of her recent books.

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11 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The Sins of the Mother....

It has been years since I have read Danielle Steel. She was the writer who knocked you down then kicked you in the gut. Her writing was too depressing for me. Read the reviews and thought maybe I could handle this one. Also sick of recent purchases of books written for the younger set. I kept waiting for something to happen. It really didn't...I'm glad no one was killed, the boat wasn't hit by a tsunami or anything. This isjust family&how family is with one another. I really liked it, but didn't find any "Wow" . I liked all the characters. I really like Olivia. I found the transition of Phillip to be somewhat not believeable. I was happy for their successes and realizations. But this is a family story of a very successful family. I think I was holding my breath expecting the heartbreaking event but thankfully my heart wasn't hurt in the reading of this book.

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7 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Blah, blah, blah...

What disappointed you about The Sins of the Mother?

It was very boring and predictable.

What could Danielle Steel have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I just shouldn't read Danielle Steel.

What character would you cut from The Sins of the Mother?

The rock star boyfriend Danny Hell. Would the baby's name be Ariel Hell?

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4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Snoozer & Preachy

Would you ever listen to anything by Danielle Steel again?

No. This was my first Danielle Steel book.

What didn’t you like about Cassandra Campbell’s performance?

Slow & uninspired

Any additional comments?

This book was a platform for the author to tell us the correct way to handle life's situations - affairs, working mothers, homosexuality, children out of wedlock, breast cancer - and, by the way, having tons of money makes everything o.k. I'm not saying I disagree with the author's viewpoints, I just don't appreciate spending my time being preached at in a thinly veiled attempt at fiction.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

danielle steel writes another great book!

Would you listen to The Sins of the Mother again? Why?

yes. i thoroughly enjoyed the background of the characters. i could have done with more background on the youngest daughter but life goes on!

Who was your favorite character and why?

amanda. she was a person i loved to hate!

Which scene was your favorite?

the two weeks on the lady luck

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

i felt the action of adultery was a little too glorified for my taste. i understand the reasons behind the adultery, but i felt the characters almost made it seem like there was a certain nobility to it, like there was a respectable reason behind it. maybe i was reading it wrong but that's what i got out of it. i heard very little of one of the wife's feelings during the story. (i know of a couple going through hard times over an adulterous relationship and that's why it hit me so hard.)

Any additional comments?

i haven't wanted to read a danielle steel book in ages. this story was great and i highly recommend it to one and all!

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Too much perfection

The only thing missing is a partridge in a pear tree. it got a bit ridiculous.

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3 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Cookie cutter story

What disappointed you about The Sins of the Mother?

Her stories are always so similar, with the main character always being so wonderful.

What was most disappointing about Danielle Steel’s story?

The biggest disappointment is that the mother felt justified and absolved herself from her absentee parenting.

What didn’t you like about Cassandra Campbell’s performance?

I absolutely hated her breathy voice. It was hard for me to listen to.

Any additional comments?

The story was typical of Danielle Steele, following a cookie cutter pattern. Woman in trouble, becomes a success, everybody loves. I can't believe I wasted my time!

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not the usual Danielle Steel

This was all happy and positive, not the usual tale that keeps my head clogged trying not to cry. I kept reading waiting for the catastrophe to happen, but was pleasantly surprised.

My only negative reaction was to morals portrayed. I guess I'm too old to appreciate the modern attitude toward marriage.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Just Okay - Barely

This story was just okay. The narrator was great. The first hour or so of the book made me want to vomit as the character kept droning on about how perfect her life was. if you can get through that part it becomes okay and is a story of a rich family with an absentee mom. The book isn't worth a credit, but I got it on sale.

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Not a good read

I am a Danielle Steel fan but this the Worse book ever. I used it as a sleeping aid. It's a real snoozer

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1 person found this helpful