The Bear and the Nightingale
A Novel
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $23.31
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Kathleen Gati
-
Written by:
-
Katherine Arden
About this listen
Katherine Arden’s best-selling debut novel spins an irresistible spell as it announces the arrival of a singular talent with a gorgeous voice.
“A beautiful deep-winter story, full of magic and monsters and the sharp edges of growing up.” (Naomi Novik, best-selling author of Uprooted)
Winter lasts most of the year at the edge of the Russian wilderness, and in the long nights, Vasilisa and her siblings love to gather by the fire to listen to their nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, Vasya loves the story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon. Wise Russians fear him, for he claims unwary souls, and they honor the spirits that protect their homes from evil.
Then Vasya’s widowed father brings home a new wife from Moscow. Fiercely devout, Vasya’s stepmother forbids her family from honoring their household spirits, but Vasya fears what this may bring. And indeed, misfortune begins to stalk the village.
But Vasya’s stepmother only grows harsher, determined to remake the village to her liking and to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for marriage or a convent. As the village’s defenses weaken and evil from the forest creeps nearer, Vasilisa must call upon dangerous gifts she has long concealed - to protect her family from a threat sprung to life from her nurse’s most frightening tales.
Praise for The Bear and the Nightingale
“Arden’s debut novel has the cadence of a beautiful fairy tale but is darker and more lyrical.” (The Washington Post)
“Vasya [is] a clever, stalwart girl determined to forge her own path in a time when women had few choices.” (The Christian Science Monitor)
“Stunning...will enchant readers from the first page....with an irresistible heroine who wants only to be free of the bonds placed on her gender and claim her own fate.” (Publishers Weekly [starred review])
“Utterly bewitching...a lush narrative...an immersive, earthy story of folk magic, faith, and hubris, peopled with vivid, dynamic characters, particularly clever, brave Vasya, who outsmarts men and demons alike to save her family.” (Booklist [starred review])
“An extraordinary retelling of a very old tale... The Bear and the Nightingale is a wonderfully layered novel of family and the harsh wonders of deep winter magic.” (Robin Hobb)
©2017 Katherine Arden (P)2017 Random House AudioYou may also enjoy...
-
Spinning Silver
- Written by: Naomi Novik
- Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan
- Length: 17 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father's inability to collect his debts has left his family on the edge of poverty - until Miryem takes matters into her own hands. Hardening her heart, the young woman sets out to claim what is owed and soon gains a reputation for being able to turn silver into gold. When an ill-advised boast draws the attention of the king of the Staryk - grim fey creatures who seem more ice than flesh - Miryem's fate, and that of two kingdoms, will be forever altered.
-
-
perfect book for the perfect narrator
- By Some Lad on 2019-11-08
Written by: Naomi Novik
-
The Queen's Rising
- Written by: Rebecca Ross
- Narrated by: Suzanne Elise Freeman
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron. Growing up in Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her. While some are born with a talent for one of the five passions - art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge - Brienna struggled to find hers until she chose knowledge. However, Brienna's greatest fear comes true - she is left without a patron. But months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage.
-
-
Not bad, but...
- By Krystyn Ewert on 2018-08-04
Written by: Rebecca Ross
-
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
- Written by: Axie Oh
- Narrated by: Rosa Escoda
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations. Floods sweep away entire villages, while bloody wars are waged over the few remaining resources. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride, in the hopes that one day the “true bride” will be chosen and end the suffering.
-
-
Excellent across the board!
- By Anonymous User on 2022-04-18
Written by: Axie Oh
-
Medea
- A Novel
- Written by: Eilish Quin
- Narrated by: Gail Shalan
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Among the women of Greek mythology, the witch Medea may be the most despised. Known for the brutal act of killing her own children to exact vengeance on her deceitful husband, Jason, the leader of the Argonauts, Medea has carved out a singularly infamous niche in our histories.
Written by: Eilish Quin
-
The Eyes Are the Best Part
- Written by: Monika Kim
- Narrated by: Jaine Ye
- Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ji-won’s life tumbles into disarray in the wake of her Appa’s extramarital affair and subsequent departure. Her mother, distraught. Her younger sister, hurt and confused. Her college freshman grades, failing. Her dreams, horrifying… yet enticing. In them, Ji-won walks through bloody rooms full of eyes. Succulent blue eyes. Salivatingly blue eyes. Eyes the same shape and shade as George’s, who is Umma’s obnoxious new boyfriend. George has already overstayed his welcome in her family’s claustrophobic apartment.
-
-
An insight into the mind of a teenage killer.
- By Lorette George on 2024-09-01
Written by: Monika Kim
-
A Letter to the Luminous Deep
- Written by: Sylvie Cathrall
- Narrated by: Claire Morgan, Joshua Riley, Justin Avoth, and others
- Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A beautiful discovery outside the window of her underwater home prompts the reclusive E. to begin a correspondence with renowned scholar Henerey Clel. The letters they share are filled with passion, at first for their mutual interests, and then, inevitably, for each other. Together, they uncover a mystery from the unknown depths, destined to transform the underwater world they both equally fear and love. But by no mere coincidence, a seaquake destroys E.'s home, and she and Henerey vanish.
Written by: Sylvie Cathrall
-
Spinning Silver
- Written by: Naomi Novik
- Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan
- Length: 17 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father's inability to collect his debts has left his family on the edge of poverty - until Miryem takes matters into her own hands. Hardening her heart, the young woman sets out to claim what is owed and soon gains a reputation for being able to turn silver into gold. When an ill-advised boast draws the attention of the king of the Staryk - grim fey creatures who seem more ice than flesh - Miryem's fate, and that of two kingdoms, will be forever altered.
-
-
perfect book for the perfect narrator
- By Some Lad on 2019-11-08
Written by: Naomi Novik
-
The Queen's Rising
- Written by: Rebecca Ross
- Narrated by: Suzanne Elise Freeman
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron. Growing up in Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her. While some are born with a talent for one of the five passions - art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge - Brienna struggled to find hers until she chose knowledge. However, Brienna's greatest fear comes true - she is left without a patron. But months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage.
-
-
Not bad, but...
- By Krystyn Ewert on 2018-08-04
Written by: Rebecca Ross
-
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
- Written by: Axie Oh
- Narrated by: Rosa Escoda
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations. Floods sweep away entire villages, while bloody wars are waged over the few remaining resources. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride, in the hopes that one day the “true bride” will be chosen and end the suffering.
-
-
Excellent across the board!
- By Anonymous User on 2022-04-18
Written by: Axie Oh
-
Medea
- A Novel
- Written by: Eilish Quin
- Narrated by: Gail Shalan
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Among the women of Greek mythology, the witch Medea may be the most despised. Known for the brutal act of killing her own children to exact vengeance on her deceitful husband, Jason, the leader of the Argonauts, Medea has carved out a singularly infamous niche in our histories.
Written by: Eilish Quin
-
The Eyes Are the Best Part
- Written by: Monika Kim
- Narrated by: Jaine Ye
- Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ji-won’s life tumbles into disarray in the wake of her Appa’s extramarital affair and subsequent departure. Her mother, distraught. Her younger sister, hurt and confused. Her college freshman grades, failing. Her dreams, horrifying… yet enticing. In them, Ji-won walks through bloody rooms full of eyes. Succulent blue eyes. Salivatingly blue eyes. Eyes the same shape and shade as George’s, who is Umma’s obnoxious new boyfriend. George has already overstayed his welcome in her family’s claustrophobic apartment.
-
-
An insight into the mind of a teenage killer.
- By Lorette George on 2024-09-01
Written by: Monika Kim
-
A Letter to the Luminous Deep
- Written by: Sylvie Cathrall
- Narrated by: Claire Morgan, Joshua Riley, Justin Avoth, and others
- Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A beautiful discovery outside the window of her underwater home prompts the reclusive E. to begin a correspondence with renowned scholar Henerey Clel. The letters they share are filled with passion, at first for their mutual interests, and then, inevitably, for each other. Together, they uncover a mystery from the unknown depths, destined to transform the underwater world they both equally fear and love. But by no mere coincidence, a seaquake destroys E.'s home, and she and Henerey vanish.
Written by: Sylvie Cathrall
-
Uprooted
- Written by: Naomi Novik
- Narrated by: Julia Emelin
- Length: 17 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.
-
-
Fantastic Read!
- By Anonymous User on 2018-09-18
Written by: Naomi Novik
-
Raybearer
- Written by: Jordan Ifueko
- Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy? Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as the Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the crown prince’s Council of Eleven. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai. But the Lady has other ideas....
-
-
enjoyed
- By Amazon Customer on 2021-09-10
Written by: Jordan Ifueko
-
Chilling Effect
- A Novel
- Written by: Valerie Valdes
- Narrated by: Almarie Guerra
- Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra cruise the galaxy delivering small cargo for even smaller profits. When her sister Mari is kidnapped by The Fridge, a shadowy syndicate that holds people hostage in cryostasis, Eva must undergo a series of unpleasant, dangerous missions to pay the ransom.
-
-
Entertaining and original
- By Connie on 2019-09-23
Written by: Valerie Valdes
-
All That Remains
- A Renowned Forensic Scientist on Death, Mortality, and Solving Crimes
- Written by: Sue Black
- Narrated by: Angela Dawe
- Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dame Sue Black is an internationally renowned forensic anthropologist and human anatomist. She has lived her life eye to eye with the Grim Reaper, and she writes vividly about it in this book, which is part primer on the basics of identifying human remains, part frank memoir of a woman whose first paying job as a schoolgirl was to apprentice in a butcher shop, and part no-nonsense but deeply humane introduction to the reality of death in our lives. It is a treat for CSI junkies, murder mystery and thriller fans, and anyone seeking a clear-eyed guide to a subject that touches us all.
-
-
narration ruined it for me
- By robkamm on 2022-06-10
Written by: Sue Black
-
Infinity Gate
- Written by: M. R. Carey
- Narrated by: Dami Olukoya
- Length: 16 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Pandominion: a political and trading alliance of a million worlds–except that they’re really just the one world, Earth, in many different realities. And when an AI threat arises that could destroy everything the Pandominion has built, they'll eradicate it by whatever means necessary, no matter the cost to human life.
-
-
Riveting
- By Anonymous User on 2024-06-12
Written by: M. R. Carey
-
Gideon the Ninth
- Written by: Tamsyn Muir
- Narrated by: Moira Quirk
- Length: 16 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap out of the audio, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy. Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse.
-
-
Friggin' brilliant
- By J on 2020-10-21
Written by: Tamsyn Muir
-
Iron Widow (Book 1)
- Written by: Xiran Jay Zhao
- Narrated by: Rong Fu
- Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain. When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed.
-
-
A wonderful surprise
- By AgileFoxen on 2021-11-08
Written by: Xiran Jay Zhao
-
Sea of Ruin
- Written by: Pam Godwin
- Narrated by: Roxy Isles
- Length: 15 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bennett Sharp is on the run. Wanted for piracy, she fears neither God nor death nor man. Except Priest Farrell.
-
-
Unnecessary brutality
- By Hannah on 2022-10-20
Written by: Pam Godwin
-
A Study in Drowning
- Written by: Ava Reid
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny. But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming.
-
-
for the depressed tumblr girlies of 2013
- By kinnetik on 2023-12-13
Written by: Ava Reid
-
The Mirror Visitor Quartet
- Written by: Christelle Dabos
- Narrated by: Emma Fenney
- Length: 60 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Long ago, following a cataclysm called the Rupture, the world was shattered into many floating celestial islands, now known as arks. Over each, the spirit of an omnipotent and immortal ancestor abides. The inhabitants of these arks each possess a unique power. Ophelia, with her ability to read the pasts of objects, must navigate this complex world using her trademark tenacity and quiet strength.
-
-
What in the hell
- By alexis on 2023-07-23
Written by: Christelle Dabos
-
A December to Remember
- Written by: Jenny Bayliss
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Sastre
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wildly different half sisters Maggie, Simone, and Star have hardly seen one another since their sprightly summers at Rowan Thorp, their eccentric father Augustus’s home. Known for his bustling approach to the knick-knack shop he ran, Augustus was loved by all and known by none, not even his daughters. Now, years later, the three estranged women are called upon for the reading of Augustus’s will and quickly realize he's orchestrated a series of hoops through which they must jump to unlock their inheritance.
-
-
Good story for the holidays
- By Marie on 2024-12-23
Written by: Jenny Bayliss
-
The Wake-Up Call
- Written by: Beth O'Leary
- Narrated by: Jessie Cave, Lino Facioli
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s the busiest season of the year, and Forest Manor Hotel is quite literally falling apart. So when Izzy and Lucas are given the same shift on the hotel’s front desk, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and see it through. The hotel won't stay afloat beyond Christmas without some sort of miracle. But when Izzy returns a guest’s lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management that this might be the way to fix everything. With four rings still sitting in the lost & found, the race is on for Izzy and Lucas to save their beloved hotel—and their jobs.
-
-
Beth O’Leary chooses the best narrators!
- By CD, Ottawa, CA on 2024-01-15
Written by: Beth O'Leary
What the critics say
"Arden's supple, sumptuous first novel transports the reader to a version of medieval Russia where history and myth coexist." (Kirkus Reviews)
What listeners say about The Bear and the Nightingale
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Story
- Sasha
- 2018-01-25
Great story with horrible narration
A compelling and interesting story with strong traditional Russian elements.
I have no idea what the narrator was trying to accomplish with that weird and annoying accent she invented. It sounds nothing like a Slavic accent. It made it a difficult listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- jp
- 2018-08-29
Wonderfully rich story
Wonderfully rich story with sympathetic characters and superb narration. Have not enjoyed a book like this since Guy Gavriel Kay
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- karamarie
- 2020-08-24
An enjoyable fairytale
While the beginning felt rather slow and there were many names to keep track of, it picked up its pace and became interesting by part 2. Good narrating.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anne
- 2020-10-28
stunning
the narrator could not have been more perfect. lush, brilliant, unique, the writing is just lovely. a perfect fantasy, but a tinge of truth in regards to christian suppression, and a nod to romance to come. 4 stars for story telling only because I felt it was a bit slow to start. otherwise... loved it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- natasha
- 2021-03-10
It was okay I guess
At first I thought this was going to be some kind of Cinderella type story and honestly the first half of the story I found so hard to get into. The writing wasn’t bad but the voice was just something I couldn’t enjoy. The characters are meh some I dislike but their motives and perspectives made sense. It was fairly predictable from 1/4 the way in I could guess how everything would end. It wasn’t that bad but just.. simple?
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2023-05-11
Loved every moment
I loved the unfolding of the story using the backdrop of Russian folklore. Beautifully written. As soon as I finished I downloaded the audiobook to listen to it again!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2021-03-10
Beautiful Story
Loved how it intertwined reality with fantasy. Ending was a bit abrupt though I thought.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chick loves lit
- 2022-01-11
Wow - in every way.
This is an amazing story. Hats off to the author! Perfectly paced. Intriguing. The narrator was well suited to the story, and I will look for more material performed by this talented individual. I burned through this one.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amy Braun
- 2022-08-31
Beautiful Story
An absolutely beautiful story that weaves drama and fairytales, I was enthralled from the very first pages right to the very end.
As the story began with the birth of the main character, Vasya, it quickly became apparent that the family dynamic was going to be the heart of the book. It wasn't what I was expecting, yet the writing and characters quickly won me over.
Vasya is fantastic. She is energetic, brave, determined, and kind. Her relationship with her siblings, father, and the creatures of folklore were among my favorite moments. I also found the priest to be a compelling character, as he warred with faith and desire.
The themes of faith and folklore made for a very, very complex plot. Watching the villagers transition from legends and spirits to Christianity made for some difficult character choices and severe costs. It was one of the best parts of the book and not something I anticipated loving as much as I did.
Seeing creatures and stories from Russian folklore was wonderful. It all blended in seamlessly with the world and its characters. This felt like an alternate version of history rather than a fantasy itself.
This is one of those books that I love the more I think about it. The prose is gorgeous, Vasya is a hero, the supporting characters are complex, and the descriptions make for an immersive experience. A definite recommend to all lovers of historical fantasy and mythology.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- S. Heron
- 2024-11-16
lovely prose
Others have commented on the inconsistent accent the reader held to. She starts out only using a regional accent when one of the major characters is speaking, but by the end of the book she is letting it creep in in all her words. My only comment would be to pick one or the other.As to the book itself, I felt like the whole novel was to give background to another, as yet unwritten novel. it was slow paced and beautiful, but not an engrossing read
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!