Testimony

After reading page one I became hooked! Anita Shreve managed to capture and contain my interest throughout the entire book. Contrary to another reviewer, I certainly didn't think it too steamy but rather very thought provoking. It did make you think and say to yourself... "Hmmmm, what if?" I read this book for my Book Club and am looking forward to a very heated discussion with varying opinions about the book and the characters. I also like the fact that Anita Shreve includes a Book Club Question Section. Even if you're not in a Book Club you can participate for self introspection. The novel did raise interesting issues and everyone will have a definite opinion but not everyone will agree with that opinion and that alone makes for good reading! A perfect summer read!

Robert Perkoff and a cast of others narrate TESTIMONY, a powerful story of a dangerous, charged videotape containing the sexual acts of very young students which unleashes shame and dismay through a small community. Questions and danger arise in this tense dramatic story, perfect for audio libraries.

I just finished listening to this book on CD. The audiobook of Testimony was well-acted with a full cast of characters. The format of the book as it was written is perfect for a cast of individual voices. The actor who portrayed the 14 year old girl was so precisely right, and the one who portrayed Rob showed what a good kid he was just by the inflections of his voice. I was very impressed with the way the story unfolded, even though I metaphorically had my hand over my eyes so as not to see the train wreck. At the same time I couldn't not look. I highly recommend the audio version of this book.

In this audio, a prestigious private school in Vermont is a powder keg ready to explode. Avery Academy's privileged students are carefully screened prior to entry and are the cream of the crop. While parents send their children to Avery to `avoid' the problems of public school system, the parties, alcohol, drugs and sex exist-and even the privileged are not exempt from trouble. Mike, Avery's headmaster, has in his possession: a sex videotape. The people on the tape are underage students. The tape's very existence wrecks havoc with the school, students, parents and the community. Nothing will ever be the same. The story is told from multiple points of view (students, parents, and a reporter) and Shreve's talent speaks to the success of her choice of storytelling methods. Only occasionally did I become confused with the numerous narrators. The story is primarily told from the perspective of Silas (basketball star), Noelle (a talented musician) and Mik,e the headmaster. The sex scandal raises questions, some that don't have answers-and we learn that it is only part of the story. The beginning of the story is extremely graphic and may negatively impact the listener/readers. Keep going, and as the story develops, the harshness of the beginning will fade. Shreve's novel is compelling, frightening and told in a manner that invites the reader to continue to listen as events unfold. I got lost in the story. There are numerous narrators and their portrayals gave me the feeling of listening to a radio program. It was delightful and a good choice by the publisher. It's not that one narrator couldn't have done a good job, but the numerous voice actors added so much. Armchair Interviews says: Another winner by Anita Shreve.

Beautifully written, TESTIMONY is a cautionary tale that explores the precipitating factors and aftermath of a student sex scandal at a private Vermont high school. Told through the alternating personal testimonies of 21 people involved or impacted, its creative structure is an all-out exploration of viewpoint: first-, third-, and even second-person, in past and present tenses. The explosive premise brought to mind the Duke University lacrosse-team scandal and the local and national reactions to it. Short chapters drew me in, and the close-up points of view revealed character in a way that led to understanding and, in almost every case, sympathy. It was tricky at first to keep the characters straight while so many were being introduced. But as things progressed and an underlying story took hold, it became riveting. Highly Recommended.