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Preview
  • Desert of the Heart

  • A Novel
  • By: Jane Rule
  • Narrated by: Traci Odom
  • Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (14 ratings)

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Desert of the Heart

By: Jane Rule
Narrated by: Traci Odom
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Summary

"A landmark work of lesbian fiction" and the basis for the acclaimed film Desert Hearts (The New York Times).

Against the backdrop of Reno, Nevada, in the late 1950s, award-winning author Jane Rule chronicles a love affair between two women.

When Desert of the Heart opens, Evelyn Hall is on a plane that will take her from her old life in Oakland, California, to Reno, where she plans to divorce her husband of 16 years. A voluntary exile in a brave new world, she meets a woman who will change her life.

Fifteen years younger, Ann Childs works as a change apron in a casino. Evelyn is instantly drawn to the fiercely independent Ann, and their friendship soon evolves into a romantic relationship. An English professor who had always led a conventional life, Evelyn suddenly finds all her beliefs about love, morality, and identity called into question. Peopled by a cast of unforgettable characters, this is a novel that dares to ask whether love between two women can last.

Contains mature themes.

©1964 Jane Rule (P)2020 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+
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What listeners say about Desert of the Heart

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I sort of......

I sort of enjoyed this audio but cannot recommend it as enjoyable ! This can not be defined as some HEA romance, there is too much angst for that. The book and The Film 'Desert Hearts' are like two separate storylines, so go into this knowing that.
I wanted more for Evelyn and Anne or maybe more for me. I guess when this was written the author needed to be careful of the subject and the written word ?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Desert Hearts

This is a book I have enjoyed reading several times after seeing the film adaptation Desert Hearts and I have enjoyed it even more so as an audio book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Self discovery

The women in the book and their self discovery, also the loss of their identity. Beautiful story.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Let down by the narrator.

Struggled to listen to narrator. As a fan of the movie I was looking forward to listening to this but sadly I couldn’t get into it.

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