The Branding Iron


Read by Roger Melin

(4.4 stars; 52 reviews)

From the cold and mountainous regions of Wyoming to the bright lights of the big city, The Branding Iron is the story of a remarkable woman, Joan Carver. Born of poor means, at a fairly young age Joan decides to leave her father and strike out on her own, but she is to face more difficulties and hardships than she had reckoned for, and the men she encounters on her way share different means of dealing with her; and she of them. She becomes her own individual, with a strong will and a determination to lead her life as she sees fit. As with many of Ms. Burt's stories, The Branding Iron is filled with unexpected surprises at each turn. (Summary by Roger Melin) (8 hr 1 min)

Chapters

01 - Joan Reads by Firelight 14:38 Read by Roger Melin
02 - Pierre Lays His Hand on a Heart 14:40 Read by Roger Melin
03 - Two Pictures in the Fire 5:57 Read by Roger Melin
04 - The Sin-Buster 11:25 Read by Roger Melin
05 - Pierre Becomes Alarmed About His Property 15:10 Read by Roger Melin
06 - Pierre Takes Steps to Preserve His Property 13:26 Read by Roger Melin
07 - The Judgement of God 8:23 Read by Roger Melin
08 - Delirium 7:14 Read by Roger Melin
09 - Dried Rose-Leaves 18:00 Read by Roger Melin
10 - Prosper Comes to a Decision 13:18 Read by Roger Melin
11 - The Whole Duty of Woman 17:13 Read by Roger Melin
12 - A Matter of Taste 13:57 Read by Roger Melin
13 - The Training of a Leopardess 6:49 Read by Roger Melin
14 - Joan Runs Away 18:03 Read by Roger Melin
15 - Nerves and Intuition 11:26 Read by Roger Melin
16 - The Tall Child 15:11 Read by Roger Melin
17 - Concerning Marriage 29:32 Read by Roger Melin
18 - A Wild Cat 14:35 Read by Roger Melin
19 - Morena's Wife 13:43 Read by Roger Melin
20 - Jane 19:14 Read by Roger Melin
21 - Flight 14:02 Read by Roger Melin
22 - Luck's Play 22:35 Read by Roger Melin
23 - Joan and Prosper 16:16 Read by Roger Melin
24 - Aftermath 18:34 Read by Roger Melin
25 - Against the Bars 13:40 Read by Roger Melin
26 - Gray Envelopes 29:48 Read by Roger Melin
27 - The Spider 17:07 Read by Roger Melin
28 - The Clean Wild Thing 28:13 Read by Roger Melin
29 - The Leopardess 25:27 Read by Roger Melin
30 - The End of the Trail 14:12 Read by Roger Melin

Reviews

Even I found this one kind of weird


(2 stars)

Even I found this one kind of weird. The guy - Pierre - he knew her - Joanne - for about 30 seconds and then they went off and got married and moved to his remote ranch - ties her - Joan - up and brands her with a branding iron, and another guy fortuitously saves her and shoots Pierre - and then they live together in guy 2's remote house - and then he cuts out with no explanation - and then time passes and she turns up again at a ranch under the name Jane, all rough and tough - and then she gets recruited by the "Jew" to be an actress in NYC - and then guy 2 turns up again - and he secretly wrote the play she's acting in, see - and then there's a boring side story about how the Jew's wife was really secretly hooked up with guy 2 all along and wants a divorce from the Jew - and then Joan/Jane decides it's OK to go off with guy 2 again but then guy 1, the guy who branded her, Pierre, shows up and they kiss and all is forgiven. And oh yeah, they briefly mentioned that she had a baby with guy 2 but the baby died. Roger Melin, is, as always, an excellent reader.

The Branding Iron


(0 stars)

A tale of selfishness, cruelty, and ultimate redemption. The 1919 story abounds with the popular prejudices of its era that made it difficult reading/listening for me. I just wanted to shake some of the characters and tell them to get over themselves! In particular, the self-obsessed writer and the strong central female character who, nevertheless, faints away at a crucial point, were rather annoying. But that, of course, is to be expected. The author's treatment of Jasper Morena, an assimilated Jew (called "the Jew" in the text), is a study in itself. Here's a verbatim section: "Jasper was perfectly conscious that his own gesture and speech of greeting were too eager, too ingratiating, that they had a touch of servility. He hated them in himself, but they were inherited with his blood, as instinctive as the wagging of a dog's tail." The lack of a rating reflects my ambivalence over the material and not the skillful reading of Roger Melin who, as usual, does a fine job. TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)

A story alive today as it was in 1919


(4 stars)

Found this little treasure while reading Westerns. Its roots are isolated late 19th century Wyoming. But this story could have been told with any of many places around the world back then. The Amazon jungle, Siberia, deep Africa, or just with isolated classes of people living in the same place. Its a little scary in some places, but in the end it is about character. There is a little anti-semitism in it which was normal for the time, but damaging to the books historical reputation. I reduced a star for it. Current writers should take note.

EXTREMELY DIFFERENT


(5 stars)

The plot is varied and it is almost totally unfathomable, yet it works for this narrative only. Roger never disappoints with his precise style with it's Lowkey mood interpretations. The author may have used a strange plot, but give her credit for some of the richest descriptive writing I have ever read. As to the commentator who complains about politically incorrect language, I get very tired of people judging historical action in light of current societal mores. It is what it is!

Enjoyable book


(4 stars)

I enjoyed this reading of "The Branding Iron". I give this story 4 stars. The strength of the main character, and how she deals with being on her own, held my interest from beginning to end, and kept me wondering in which direction the story would turn. I enjoy stories which portray women of strength. The narrator was very good, easy to listen to. I recommend this audio book to anyone who enjoys early 20th century novels.

Great story


(5 stars)

I really liked this one because it's SO human to let our minds wonder from reality. Running from love, then finding it again! Awsome read by Roger Melin, again!!

Confusing Is it a western, a


(3 stars)

Is it a western, love story or an early soap opera? Begins well, then drags on. To many plot twists. Best part was Melin's reading.

interesting


(5 stars)

keep me going for a bit ... thank you for your precious time .. greatStory