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Wise Blood

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Wise Blood

Written by: Flannery O’Connor
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
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About this listen

Flannery O’Connor’s astonishing and haunting first novel is a classic of 20th-century literature. It is the story of Hazel Motes, a 22-year-old caught in an unending struggle against his innate, desperate faith. He falls under the spell of a “blind” street preacher named Asa Hawks and his degenerate 15-year-old daughter.

In an ironic, malicious gesture of his own non-faith, and to prove himself a greater cynic than Hawks, Hazel founds The Church of God Without Christ but is still thwarted in his efforts to lose God. He meets Enoch Emery, a young man with “wise blood,” who leads him to a mummified holy child and whose crazy maneuvers are a manifestation of Hazel’s existential struggles.

This tale of redemption, retribution, false prophets, blindness, and wisdom gives us one of the most riveting characters in American fiction.

©1990 The Estate of Mary Flannery O’Connor (P)2010 Blackstone Audio
Classics Literary Fiction Southern States World Literature Fiction Witty
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What the critics say

“No other major American writer of our century has constructed a fictional world so energetically and forthrightly charged by religious investigation.” ( The New Yorker)
“There is in Flannery O’Connor a fierceness of literary gesture, an angriness of observation, a facility for catching, as an animal eye in the wilderness, cunningly and at one sharp glance, the shape and detail and animal intention of enemy and foe.” ( The New York Times Book Review)

What listeners say about Wise Blood

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  • Overall
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Enjoyable

I'm new to this author so I went in not knowing what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised! the characters are very interesting and I found I just really wanted to know what was happening next. I did get lost a couple times trying to keep track of which character was the focus but by the end of the book I had figured out my groove. If you are someone who is interested in religious experiences and mental health you may find this book interesting.

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Great Listening Experience

I can't believe I have never heard of Flannery O'Connor before. Her name came up in a random conversation. What a unique storyteller! Interesting premise with the most unusual characters. This would be a great book club read.

Kudos to Bronson Pinchot who did an incredible job. Absolutely one of the best narrations ever

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Excellent narration, the voices of the characters were convincing

This was my first exposure to Flannery O’Connor. Her writing is so immersive, drawing you into the personalities of the characters. I found the story to be dark, unpredictable, humorous, loaded with meaning, sometimes deeper than words. They plot sometimes felt episodic, maybe because it was created from a series of short stories. I was hoping for more from the ending, but it was profound in a way. I was just hoping to see some kind of transformation of the protagonist, if you can even call him that.

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Highly Enjoyable

Flannery O'Connoer is a brilliant writer and this twisted story of a cast of twisted characters is deeply compelling. Her imagery, characters, dialogue, and descriptions are lively, unexpected, darkly humourous. I enjoyed the narration very much, Bronson Pinchot interpretations of the characters are vivid and add to the production.

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Excellent

I loved this book - it was a real page turner and the narration was masterful. Highly recommended.

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... I don't get it.

honestly, it's a little too complicated. if you're looking to try out Flannery O'Connor I'd recommend "the violent bear it away" over this. The story is easier to follow, the language is more palatable for modern audiences, and the narrator is better.

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OHH JEASUS FUCKIN' CHRIST!

I finished this and watched the fablemans on the same day and I am Jesus'ed out.

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An American classic

I don't have to praise Flannery O'Connor's prose. Suffice to say that her name would belong among the great Americans: Faulkner, Steinbeck, Algren, had she only lived a decade or two longer. This was my introduction to Mr. Pinchot's reading. Wow! I'll be seeking out his performances going forward.

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