Rare Objects

A Novel

By: Kathleen Tessaro

Narrated by: Susan Bennett

Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

In Depression-era Boston, a city divided by privilege and poverty, two unlikely friends are bound by a dangerous secret in this mesmerizing work of historical fiction from the New York Times best-selling author of The Perfume Collector.

Maeve Fanning is a first-generation Irish immigrant born and raised among the poor, industrious Italian families of Boston's North End by her widowed mother. Clever, capable, and as headstrong as her red hair suggests, she's determined to better herself despite the overwhelming hardships of the Great Depression.

However, Maeve also has a dangerous fondness for strange men and bootleg gin - a rebellious appetite that soon finds her spiraling downward, leading a double life. When the strain proves too much, Maeve becomes an unwilling patient in a psychiatric hospital, where she strikes up a friendship with an enigmatic young woman who, like Maeve, is unable or unwilling to control her unladylike desire for freedom.

Once out, Maeve faces starting over. Armed with a bottle of bleach and a few white lies, she lands a job at an eccentric antiques shop catering to Boston's wealthiest and most peculiar collectors. Run by an elusive English archeologist, the shop is a haven of the obscure and incredible, providing rare artifacts as well as unique access to the world of America's social elite. While delivering a purchase to the wealthy Van der Laar family, Maeve is introduced to beautiful socialite Diana Van der Laar - only to discover she's the young woman from the hospital.

Reunited with the charming but increasingly unstable Diana and pursued by Diana's attractive brother, James, Maeve becomes more and more entwined with the Van der Laar family - a connection that pulls her into a world of moral ambiguity, deceit, and, ultimately, betrayal. Bewitched by their wealth and desperate to leave her past behind, Maeve is forced to unearth her true values and discover how far she'll go to reinvent herself.

©2016 Kathleen Tessaro (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Boston, circa 1932

The strongest element of this book is the setting, Boston, 1932-33. There are some lovely discriptions of the ethnic community where Maeve lives with her Irish mother and Italian neighbors. Even though the story was a little over-long (a trim by an editor would have helped ) I enjoyed this one. Excellent narration by Susan Bennett.

Susan Bennett's Voice My 1st Choice

Great story that touches on life in general & I live that even in the present era, things aren't really much different. of course, my personal opinion is that Susan Bennett has the capability of making a boring book a very exciting novel!

Worthwhile!

Hated for it to be over but thought the ending was well done. Felt rather the sense of justice done.

A treasure of a book, well worth exploring.

What did you love best about Rare Objects?
It was (both!) worthwhile & enjoyable. I'm glad that it was a longer book.
I love her clear, powerfully evocative writing. Flowing words smoothly transport the reader into the mind of the main character, understanding of her relationships, and a palpable sense of traveling to a different place & time.


What other book might you compare Rare Objects to and why?
I very much enjoyed Kathleen Tessaro's other book, The Perfume Collector.This was just as thoughtful and worthwhile, in my opinion. I would like to see others from the same author.

What about Susan Bennett’s performance did you like?
The narrator has a captivating cadence and tone quality that draws one into the scenes.
It seems that we are actually in the moment she is describing.
I would give her 5 stars, but occasionally she had some confusion with accents when switching between ethnicities, which was a bit distracting.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Not just one, but many throughout the book. I think that the pairing of Tessaro's writing with Susan Bennett's reading was a prefect combination.

A beautiful story!

This was a lovely story of heart break, understanding and love!! The reader was delightful to listen to.

Unique and interesting story

The story lines kept me captivated. The lives of young women, wealthy and working class; the characters; the antiques content.

Too few...

I am a lit snob, increasingly so as I age. I will not live long enough to enjoy the many books I hope to read or to listen. This author is exceptional. This story is elaborate and so enjoyable. I highly recommend to those fearing the end of time.

I didn’t want this to end…

A very well written and read story. Well developed characters with flaws and secrets that slowly draw you into their world. There wasn’t a page that felt boring or unnecessary to me. I loved it and wish there could be a book 2, there’s so much more story to be told.

Loved it!!!

I loved this book!! It was a great read! The performance was great! You won't be disappointed.

This novel is a treasure.

Any additional comments?

Exquisitely narrated. Beautifully written. Rich characters.
I loved this book and didn't want it to end.