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    The Eight
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    The Eight
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    The Eight
    Audiobook (abridged)7 hours

    The Eight

    Written by Katherine Neville

    Narrated by Susan Denaker

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

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    About this audiobook

    New York City, 1972-A dabbler in mathematics and chess, Catherine Velis is also a computer expert for a Big Eight accounting firm. Before heading off to a new assignment in Algeria, Cat has her palm read by a fortune-teller. The woman warns Cat of danger. Then an antiques dealer approaches Cat with a mysterious offer: He has an anonymous client who is trying to collect the pieces of an ancient chess service, purported to be in Algeria. If Cat can bring the pieces back, there will be a generous reward.

    The South of France, 1790-Mireille de Remy and her cousin Valentine are young novices at the fortresslike Montglane Abbey. With France aflame in revolution, the two girls burn to rebel against constricted convent life-and their means of escape is at hand. Buried deep within the abbey are pieces of the Montglane Chess Service, once owned by Charlemagne. Whoever reassembles the pieces can play a game of unlimited power. But to keep the Game a secret from those who would abuse it, the two young women must scatter the pieces throughout the world. . . .


    From the Trade Paperback edition.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateOct 23, 2007
    ISBN9780739354346
    Author

    Katherine Neville

    Born in 1945, Katherine Neville has had an extraordinary life, living in almost every state in North America. Aside from her work as an international bestselling author, she has worked as an international computer executive, a painter, photographer, and a waitress. Katherine lives in Virginia, Washington and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visit the author's website at:www.katherineneville.com

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    Reviews for The Eight

    4/5

    1,359 ratings63 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I found this book really hard to get into.Must have read about a third of it before it really grabbed me,after that I couldn't put it down.I know it wasn't just me that had a problem getting into it,my Mum read it after me and she initially found it tough going but I told her to stick with it and in the end she really liked it as well.I know it was compared to The Da Vinci Code despite having been written years earlier but personally I think it is far better than that book,would be better to compare it with Labyrinth given the dual time settings in both.
    • 5/5
      This has long been one of my favorite books and I re-read it every few years. I just re-read it in anticipation of next reading the sequel, The Fire.
    • 1/5
      I had such high hopes with this one. Eight and it's sequel The Fire have been in my TBR pile for years (as you can see in my profile pic from 2009). After finishing Michelle Moran's The Second Empress I was in the mood for more French historical fiction set around the Revolution. I thought this would be just the right time to tackle this first book in the series.

      I did enjoy the first 100-150 pages or so (at least the parts set in 18th century France), but I never really warmed up to any of the characters. I had an outright distaste for the modern day character Kat. The plot seemed be on the edge of the ridiculous. And the further into the book I read, the worse it became. Guess I'm not a fan of the historical-action genre.

      I stopped on page 222. I hate to throw in the towel after that much of an investment, but given that this is a 600 page tome, I was still looking at a considerable chunk to slog through.

      I did look ahead in several parts to see if looked like it might get better. It just served to reinforce I was making the right decision to cut my losses and run!
    • 5/5
      The Eight uses a lot of ingredients that have been successfully incorporated many times since in popular books and movies - Freemasonry, alchemy, the mysterious Middle East. Because these tropes have become so popular as plot devices, the possibility of them feeling stale is high. I felt like this novel was able to stand on its own well, despite the passing of years, because of Neville's expert weaving together of all these familiar strands into a story both exciting and fresh.Neville's two main heroines, Cat and Mireille, were intelligent and dauntless, and following their dangerous and heroic exploits was complete and utter fun. I genuinely felt anxious on more than one occasion, because I was that involved in their stories. Because this novel has been the inspiration for so much that followed, some of the plot twists were easier to predict, but there were still plenty of surprises along the way.Very, very good - definitely recommended.
    • 1/5
      I can't finish this novel. Considering that the novel is >600 pages, I didn't even make it to center stage as I have given up before 300 pages. I didn't find it to be as fascinating as some of the reviews that adorn both the front and back cover and the first pages...
    • 4/5
      This novel takes place in two parallel times, 1772 & 1972. 1772 is in Revolutionary France, for the most part and 1972 is in the US, for the most part. It is ostensibly the story of the Montglen Service, the Chess Pieces and Board of Charlemagne. (Didn't really exist). If all assembled again, it was to provide some supernatural power. There were quite a few characters in this book with foreign names and sometimes they were difficult to keep track of. However, I'm giving the book 4 stars because I truly loved the Revolutionary France part with Talleyrand, Marat, Jacques-Louis-David, and Napoleon. The author did some extensive research and certainly got the history correct. Don't have to understand anything about chess to understand this book.
    • 1/5
      I looked at this book and thought that this seemed great. The reviewers were all the authors I love and the premise was great. Normally this short of a book would have been a weekend or so and I really put my back into it, I was at the pool for hours and there were a few good parts and overall good dialogue but I couldn't get into it. I might retread it later but for now I couldn't even finish it when I was 5 chapters from the end. There might be giant squids of anger responding but it doesn't get better.
      Maybe next time
    • 4/5
      Loved this! Great intrigue and suspense (and way better at conspiracy than The DaVinci Code). The double structure is a bit uneven, with the French Revolution period being too loaded with famous historical characters to pull me in completely, but the North African setting is fascinating.
    • 4/5
      Loved this book so much I've read it twice. What was originally an airport reading material purchase quickly became a "leave-me-alone-I'm-reading-here" kind of deal. Very entertaining and suspenseful, with many seemingly random tangents, flashbacks, historical references, and crazy round the world travels in pursuit of the truth behind a seemingly innocuous chess set.
    • 4/5
      originally published in 1988. Read in paperback form. 2 strands to this novel. First: late 18th early 19th century. French Nun Mireille is given the task of safeguarding pieces of a chess set said to contain a formula giving all power to possessor. Goes through the French Revolution, the Terror and her relationship with Charles Maurice Talleyrand. She discovers chess set's secret of immortality. 2nd strand: early 1970's; Catherine Velis, cmputer data specialist, brought into the Game by Minnie/Mireille (the Black Queen). Velis discovers location of chess pieces and becomes Black Queen after Minnie retires from the Game. The formula of immortality has been lost over time. Velis decides to bury chess set so it's power and formula are lost. Her partners in the Game: Lily, Harry (Lily's father), Solarin (Russian chess grand master), Nim (reclusive computer expert), Mordecai (Harry's father). Catherine and Solarin marry. 8: meaningful in various religions, chess and mysticism.
    • 3/5
      Blurbs on the cover compare this to The DaVinci Code, although it was written well-before, in 1988. I can see the resemblance. Like The DaVinci Code there are various kinds of puzzles involved--crosswords, cryptograms and mathematical puzzles. Like The DaVinci Code there is a mystery of great historical import and a sinister conspiracy. The book shuttled between Revolutionary France and contemporary times to tell the story of a chess set owned by Charlemagne whose owner could change the world.Admittedly, this isn't a genre I'm drawn to--but admittedly this one isn't well done--although I'd rate it considerably higher than The DaVinci Code because it isn't as historically ludicrous or as eye-bleeding in style. It's not strong writing wise though--not in the convoluted plot, one dimensional characters or pedestrian prose.But I think what irritated me most is that this can't quite settle between genres. I love both urban and high fantasy, and have enjoyed works with touches of magical realism. The first depends on strong world-building and the second a magical prose and gift for metaphor. This one is just too implausible--and I say that as a fan of Harry Potter with witches and wizards playing games on flying broomsticks and various vampire tales. Maybe it's just I'm generally allergic to conspiracy scenarios. But this chess set is supposed to be both a scientific key and has an ability to possess those playing a game upon it. It just never gels for me somehow.
    • 4/5
      A thoroughly good read about two women whose paths intertwine as they seek to unravel a thousand year old mystery hidden in an ancient chess set. Catherine is a modern-day career woman, computer expert, and artist who is sent to Algeria to work for OPEC. Mirielle is a young nun whose life is turned upside down at the height of the French Revolution. Famous politicians and artists (Napolean, Fournier, Voltaire, Woodsworth) make appearances as players in this real-life chess game. While obviously highly unprobable at times, it is a fun and engaging tale.One element that felt a bit thin was the character of Catherine, who does seem to lack a history or life prior to the start of the novel. She doesn't seem to have any family and this isn't really explained or addressed. There was no 'eureka moment' at the end when her own personal story is revealed. I think this was a lost opportunity and wish the author had been able to weave this last strand into the overarching fabric of the story.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book, it is one of my all-time favorites. The author herself describes it as a swashbuckler. It is that and so much more. It is exotic, historical and suspenseful. The characters are well-drawn, spirited and believable - and sometimes funny and/or downright crazy.
    • 4/5
      I'm not sure this book lived up to all the hype I'd heard about it. It seems to fall into the DaVinci Code-esque novel genre, sort of, although I'm not sure it was pulled off quite as well. However, being published 10-15 years earlier, it was a good predecessor to these types of novels. I enjoy novels with recurring stories in both the past & present, and this one fit the bill. I only wish I knew more about the game of chess. I think that would've added a lot more enjoyment for me.
    • 2/5
      A mediocre book with a rag-tag plot.
    • 3/5
      What do King Charlemagne, a gaggle of nuns, just about every historical celebrity from late 18th century Paris to Venice to St. Petersburg, more than a few chess prodigies, and the formation of OPEC have to do with each other? More than you could imagine. Katherine Neville out-Dan-Browns Dan Brown, skipping across continents and centuries, connecting far-fetched dots, and name dropping all along the way.The book starts strong--the classic cryptic fortune telling of doom, a stubborn genius heroine who pisses off the wrong boss, a few mysterious deaths, and a sexy Russian spy. And I hung in there through the melodramatic characterizations of the ever unrolling parade of players, even when she mixed in the Freemasons. (Gotta have the Freemasons.) But Catherine the Great AND Rousseau AND Voltaire AND Robespierre AND the painter Jacques-Louis David AND Napoleon Bonaparte AND Wordsworth AND Cassanova? Puh-leeze. It tries even this willing suspender of incredulity. I made it to page 392 before I strained my eyes from rolling them--and we hadn't even got to Sir Isaac Newton yet.
    • 4/5
      A complex plot that intertwines the past and the present with a treasure hunt of sorts makes this one fun read. It all centers around a chessboard and its pieces--pieces that seem to give those that hold them power, and then when all assembled could give even more. Two women, one in the past, one in the present are chosen as 'queens' to guard--or to find?--this great treasure. But they aren't the only players in the game.This was a lot of fun to listen to, a great adventure tale with many twists and turns. I got amused at the number of historical figures that popped up. It is quite unbelievable, so take it all in fun and enjoy the ride as the story takes you across a chessboard that spans the globe.
    • 3/5
      Set in 1972 with flashbacks to 1790 Catherine Velis is a computer expert for a Big Eight accounting firm. Before heading off to a new assignment in Aliers, Cat has her palm read by a fortune teller who warns her of danger. Cat is to cllect the pieces of an ancient chess set.A chase to reassemble an ancient chess set sends Catherine Velis to Algeria in 1972. There she becomes involved in a centuries-old game to find the pieces of the set.
    • 5/5
      This is my second time reading this book and it was amazing all over again. Like all of Neville's novels, two stories are interweaved: one in the present (in this case, the 1970's) and one in the past (late 18th century). Two women, a computer expert and nun, attempt each in their respective time periods to unravel the mystery behind a powerful and much-coveted ancient chess set, the Montglane Service. This book is full of action and romance, suspense and memorable characters. The number of famous historical figures who show up does border on the absurd, but I was too busy having a good time to nitpick. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.Side note for those who've read the book: my sister was in love with Solarin, but my heart belongs to Nim. :)
    • 3/5
      I feel pretty blah about this book. I thought it was going to be great, had been wanting to read it for a while, but found myself distinctly underwhelmed. The writing seemed amateur-ish and wanting. Perhaps because it was a good idea, but was only her first novel? I am no expert, but I'll be interested to see if her second book is better than the first.
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed The Eight...to a point. The plotting was splendid, but the writing was clunky; it was one of those books where I found myself wanting to rearrange the author's sentences, which is profoundly distracting. But the characters were decently drawn and the central conceit was fascinating. Chess and puzzles galore!
    • 5/5
      A fantastic, complex book. I truly enjoyed how Neville travels back and forth between the eras, unveiling layers of intrigue and adventure. She creates a chess game of a novel that keeps you interested and on your toes. What a fantastic story.
    • 3/5
      While I could tell the author had done her homework and was truly interested in her subject, I found The Eight lacking on too many levels to be more than just an okay read. Unfortunately, since this book was probably way ahead of its time when it was originally written, there now exist just too many books of this same premise - find the secret code in the (insert your favorite object here) - that do the job with more suspense and/or more realism. The Eight just doesn't quite reach the bar.
    • 2/5
      I rarely abandon a book once I've started reading it. This was an exception. I ploughed through about two-thirds of it, then rolled my eyes one last time and quit. In a parallel plot-line tracking action in modern times and in th 1790's, the author postulates the existence of a chess set, once owned by Charlmagne and at the heart of a dizzying array of plots, counterplots, riddles and codes. For the portion of the story taking place in the 18th Century, the author invokes as many historical figures of the era as possible. The effect is just silly. The story was ho-hum and the author's habit of injecting a phrase like "little did she know that her actions would blah, blah, blah" in order to keep the reader informed of events unfolding was downright irritating. Ham-handed at best.
    • 4/5
      Five stars for plotting, one star for dialogue. (Has this woman never heard people talk to each other?) A page-turner for sure, but let's hope the sequel, The Fire, is better.
    • 5/5
      Quite possibly one of the most exciting books I've ever read. All the action and historical suspicion of The DaVinci Code, with none of the religious nonsense. I'm well versed in the French Revolution, and I could find nothing to grumble with in her historical suppositions (other than that they might be based on unlikely coincidences ). I loved this book.
    • 3/5
      Long book. To be fair, I'm not into the 1700's and French politcis, so this was a bit of a stretch for me. It's sort of like a light HS/College mini review with all the names, dates and brief historical descriptions. An unusal twist on the Holy Grail type mystery. And a fairly decent ending.
    • 4/5
      I read a lot of reviews of this before I started, but I like to think I keep an open mind... I liked it overall, good fun, puzzles and adventures can rarely go wrong, especially if they involve a bit of magic. I am not so keen on reading about real characters of history as if they are involved in the tale, but this is only in one half of the story, and none take any real lead role in the story.Some books do come across as though they were meant for the big screen and this is definitely one of them, in fact, as Katherine Neville has produced a sequel, I wouldn't be surprised if this came soon....and was successful. I particulary imagined the boat scenes at the end with the New York skyline coming into sight as a great visual picture.A rip-roaring yarn with intelligence, but a beach read nonetheless.
    • 4/5
      I have to say this is one of my favorite books, that and the magic circle also by Katherine Neville. It to me was I guess the comparison would be like al dente' the perfect level of chewiness lol. It grabbed my attention when I first read it in 2001 and I could read it again easily. Had lots of great info into histories mysteries, a little bit of romance, a lot of thriller, and a chess game that hey if your lucky you might be able to play " forever". I would recommend this to my friends and have been loaning out my copies (gotta get one for me now). Bottom line with no spoilers, I enjoyed it, I felt like I learned a few things and got a good mystery to boot. I am now going to read the fire and was very excited to learn of it's release.Reminds me of:Umberto EcoDan BrownSome Agatha Christie (mystery part)Would make a good movie
    • 5/5
      I first read this book when it was published in 1988. I've read it several times since and enjoyed it every time. I recently read it again to prepare to review the sequel, The Fire, coming out in October 2008. And I enjoyed it again! The interweaving plots continued to surprise and engage me, the pace is fast and entertaining, and the historical facts and chess information are fascinating. It's a fun read that I would highly recommend.