Audiobook Review: The Leaves of Fate by George Robert Minkoff

Author George Robert Minkoff has solidified his place as a brilliant author of historical fiction with The Leaves of Fate, the third and final installment of the In the Land of Whispers series, which details the trials and tribulations of the Jamestown colony, as well as its heroic leader. This epic end to Captain John Smith’s legendary journey is unraveled in unpredictable detail and explores a critical period in history from a unique and captivating perspective.

Following on from the fever dreams and expansive storytelling of Book 2, The Leaves of Fate brings readers back across the mighty ocean, as it becomes clear that nothing remains for John Smith in the colony but death and further desolation. Many of the conflicts from the beginning of this series bear painful fruit, and the issues are able to be explored in more stark and upfront terms. The allusions to greedy interests and foreign domination that pepper the earlier narrative now become tangible, with Smith coming face to face with the savage powers that drove the expedition in the first place.

As is so often the case, no good deed goes unpunished, and John Smith is forced to defend his actions before, during, and after his tenure as president of the Jamestown colony. Money-hungry authorities are looking for their pound of flesh and a scapegoat for the tragic events in the new colony. Following Smith’s abandonment by his employers and subsequent exile from the colonies, never to return again, this book highlights the thankless nature of exploration. Even the romantic entanglements of the past, which had seemed so crucial and world-changing to him in Jamestown, are diminished in the harsh light and cruel reality of England.

Truth and fiction begin to blur, just as it has done throughout this series by Minkoff, and perhaps the greatest battle of Smith’s career is yet to be fought. Understanding that his story is worthy of being told, despite what wounds his reputation has suffered, John Smith puts pen to page and recounts the unbelievable tale of his time kindling the first colonial fires of America. This is not a happy wrap-up of the trilogy, but is instead a brutally honest and thoughtful reflection on one man’s remarkable life.

Narrated by Nigel Gore, this audiobook is a dense and decadent piece of aural pleasure. The language Minkoff employs is subtle, powerful, and poetic, and captures the long-windedness of the 17^th century in glorious detail. When an author can wield English with such grace and patience, an audiobook feels like the most appropriate form, while Gore has an authoritative, yet whimsically flexible voice that complements the writing beautifully.

As has been true throughout the series, this installment is thoroughly polished and clean, and while the verbosity and linguistic gymnastics can occasionally become overwhelming, Minkoff is a master storyteller. Capturing complex characters in sharp relief, transporting readers to the heart of visceral scenes four hundred years ago, and confidently commenting on larger existential, cultural, and political topics with the backing of intense research, The Leaves of Fate is a superbly executed culmination of this unforgettable series.