Listening for Lions is a breathtaking story of tragedy, deception, and triumph against all odds. National Book Award–winning author Gloria Whelan sets this richly historical coming–of–age adventure in British East Africa in the year 1918.

This irresistible novel entangles an orphaned girl in a deceit filled plot. Young Rachel Sheridan is made to leave her beloved Africa for England, where she must pose as the deceased daughter of a nefarious couple in an effort to gain them an enormous inheritance. Her irrepressible spirit and extraordinary wit turn her from victim to heroine in a surprising and empowering tale of a remarkable young woman.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 21 reviews)

Wonderful Book!

Listening for Lions, by Gloria Whelan was a great book! I only finished reading it. It held me for hours.

This book is about Rachel Sheridan, whose parents work in Africa as missionary doctor and teacher. Rachel has grown up in Africa, and loves every bit of it. The people, the animals, the land, the sky, the weather. After her parents die from the sudden influenza that strikes Tumaini, where she lives, she has to stay with the Pritchards, her English neighbors who also lost their daughter. Soon, Rachel is caught up in their deceitful, greedy scheme and is being shipped to England to possibly save an old man...by lying and posing as someone she isn't. Though she's in England, trying to tell the truth and yet not succeeding, her heart is still back in Africa with the people of Tumaini.

From the maybe third chapter to the end of part two, this book was absolutely fabulous and gripping. Although I thought the ending wasn't as strong as it might've been, I think it was satisfying enough. Told from first person in a most curiously simple and powerful voice, this is a great book! :D I love the figurative language she uses, and how she uses them to show her feelings. Yes, you should get this book. :)

I love the cover art, too.
July 05, 2008

Great Book

I bought this book for my 9 year old daughter and she hasn't had a chance to read it because both my mother in-law and I have read it first. It is a great story about a girl that has been throught great loss and managed to over come and give back.
July 03, 2008

listening for a good book review

Rachel is a girl who lives in Africa. Her parents died from influenza and a rich family decided to replace her for their dead daughter. They sent her to her "grandfather" in England to pretend to be someone she is not to get his wealth.
In England she and her grandfather bond together and have fun. But then a couple months later the Pritchard's come to England to pick up their Rachel, and make sure she got her job done. Rachel feels bad about lying so much to her "grandfather". But she doesn't want the Pritchards to get mad at her and punish her. Will she tell her grandfather the truth?
In the beginning of the book, Rachel was shy and obedient. But over time she became bolder. It must be hard to pretend to be someone your not. I would not want to be in her position where I had no opinion. I recommend this book to people who like adventure because in this book, Rachel's life is full of adventure.

February 22, 2008

More is more? More or less...

A missionary's young daughter serves in Africa with her parents. An influenza outbreak leaves her orphaned and in the treacherous hands of ill-intentioned neighbors. They offer her a way out of sure placement in an orphanage, but it requires her to become an imposter. How will she be true to herself and the values of her parents without risking harm to those she loves most? And how will she find her way back to Africa?

Whelan has afforded the reader every detail necessary to richly experience each scene. Whether it be in the disease ridden community of Africa, to a brief stop in Alexandria, or the lush, bird-filled gardens of England, every sensory nuance is fully described with thorough enthusiasm and metaphorical abundance. In fact, a little too much info! She certainly cannot be accused of insufficient research leading to a lack of authenticity!

The initial chapters start a little predictably, but don't lose heart. I had not read any spoiler reviews and was thoroughly engaged in the surprise conflict with anticipation for the resolve. The middle of the book definitely reached the "can't put it down" stage. A wonderfully logical ending presents itself, but Whelan plods along far past that point before ending it in a satisfying conclusion.

It's among the best books I've read - with a deduction for literary overkill. This author is definitely a "more is more" thinker. In my opinion, less would have sufficed.

January 13, 2008

A good read!

I've always loved Frances Hodgson Burnett's books (A Little Princess, The Secret Garden) and wished there were more. This book by Gloria Whelan definitely fills that void, and then some! The heroine is less passive, and her motivations are made clearer, which makes this book a little more modern in its presentation and possibly more appealing to modern readers than Burnett's books. Rachel is a likable heroine, and the book is an enjoyable read.
January 03, 2008

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