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Mildred Pierce

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Mildred Pierce

By: James M. Cain
Narrated by: Christine Williams
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About this listen

Mildred Pierce had gorgeous legs, a way with a skillet, and a bone-deep core of toughness and determination. She used those attributes to survive a divorce in 1940s America with two children and to claw her way out of poverty, becoming a successful businesswoman. But Mildred also had two weaknesses: a yen for shiftless men and an unreasoning devotion to her monstrous daughter.

Out of these elements, Cain created a novel (later made into a film noir classic) of acute social observation and devastating emotional violence - and a heroine whose ambitions and sufferings are never less than recognizable.

©1941 James M. Cain (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.
Classics Crime Fiction Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery Psychological
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Critic reviews

"[James M. Cain is] the poet of the hard-boiled school of the American novel." ( Washington Post)
"A novel that, once begun, will almost surely be read to the end....it reflects no codes, no restrictions, and none but the primordial necessities. It is a bath in sensation." ( New York Times Book Review)

What listeners say about Mildred Pierce

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story bad narration

I simply had to turn off this audiobook in the end. The raucous narration spoilt it fir me. I put up with it until chapter ten.

A pity because the story itself is a good one.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get the printed book, which would by better because of sight problems.

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

Suspense without murder

This was my first James M Caine and I thoroughly enjoyed this unpredictable story of Mildred and her vile daughter. I admire novels that create suspense without murders or even violence. The story is about Mildred’s overriding need to be a good mother. Most women will forgive their offspring just about anything, but Mildred goes a step too far. It also follows this unassuming woman’s rise from ignominity to success and riches, and although cast as a decent person who rewards loyalty, is not adverse to manipulation. The ending was as surprising as it was satisfying.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable

A good story, well read. I did enjoy the film too which was a bit different. Well worth it

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what a story..timeless

Love every minute if this book. Very well written. A timeless story of a mother's triumphs and struggles

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A class act.

Such a classic.
Well read, I loved the narration.
It really helped that I had Joan Crawford in my mind throughout.
A real snapshot into a life in vintage America.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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A window on times gone by

A sad story of a woman trying to do her best but not achieving the result she wanted.loved the style and the narrator

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book well read

I saw the film first years ago and was excited to read the
book

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Fantastic

The best book I’ve listened to in a while. The plot & writing were excellent & the narrator very good.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

Gripping story spanning twenty years of mother love, the great depression and the American dream

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it.

Loved this book, the story is wonderful, Mildred is so well scoped out you can't help but like her. Much better than the film.

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