The Last Storyteller [Paperback]

Diane Noble (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2004

One Woman’s Choice, One Family’s Legacy

Taite Abbot has always been a free spirit, and she has the tattoos and piercings to prove it. So when her boyfriend, medical student Sam Wellington, leaves for a fellowship thousands of miles away before he knows she is pregnant, Taite is unwilling destroy his chance of becoming a doctor. Completely unprepared to face parenthood alone, she decides to get an abortion. But without any emotional or financial resources, Taite first seeks solace from her Welsh grandmother, Naini.

“Do you remember the stories I once told you, Taite? About the family? …
There were some I didn’t tell you…. Some were too hard to tell.”

From the moment the disillusioned young woman arrives, Naini knows that time is running out, both for Taite and for herself. The aging woman must make her granddaughter understand the heart and soul of their family’s ancient legacy. But for Taite to discover the passion and faith that can keep love alive, Naini must tell the hard stories, one last time.

Interweaving a medieval adventure with the dilemmas of contemporary romance, The Last Storyteller draws ancient grace into modern lives through the powerful telling of stories.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Last Storyteller spans three generations, two continents, and one family’s desperate attempt to mend the tears in the fabric of their hearts. All three women–grandmother Victoria, mother Isabel, and daughter Taite–ring true to me as genuine, complex, yet sympathetic characters. A rich thread of Welsh history is woven throughout this poignant modern tale, even as it explores the very contemporary issue of medical ethics. The real storyteller here is Diane Noble, whose novels never fail to touch the heart with tenderness and truth.”
–Liz Curtis Higgs, best-selling author of Thorn in My Heart

“I waited years for Diane to write this book and it was worth the wait! Within these pages you’ll find heartfelt longing, holy desire, trials and triumphs. Diane has seamlessly drawn together an ancient and contemporary storyline, making it a delicious choice for any taste in fiction.”
–Lisa Tawn Bergren, best-selling author of The Captain’s Bride 
 
“Like all of Diane Noble’s wonderful novels, The Last Storyteller overflows with warm sensitivity and pure entertainment. The love story of Taite and Sam will long be remembered and cherished. I enjoyed it very much!”
–Linda Lee Chaikin, author of Yesterday’s Promise and Today’s Embrace

“True-to-life characters in heartbreaking situations with hope as their only buoy–these are the elements of Diane Noble’s The Last Storyteller. A story of redemption and forgiveness as only Diane Noble can tell it. I look forward to every novel crafted by this master storyteller.”
–Traci DePree, author of A Can of Peas and Dandelions in A Jelly Jar

From the Inside Flap

One Woman's Choice, One Family's Legacy

Taite Abbot has always been a free spirit, and she has the tattoos and piercings to prove it. So when her boyfriend, medical student Sam Wellington, leaves for a fellowship thousands of miles away before he knows she is pregnant, Taite is unwilling destroy his chance of becoming a doctor. Completely unprepared to face parenthood alone, she decides to get an abortion. But without any emotional or financial resources, Taite first seeks solace from her Welsh grandmother, Naini.

"Do you remember the stories I once told you, Taite? About the family? ...
There were some I didn't tell you.... Some were too hard to tell."

From the moment the disillusioned young woman arrives, Naini knows that time is running out, both for Taite and for herself. The aging woman must make her granddaughter understand the heart and soul of their family's ancient legacy. But for Taite to discover the passion and faith that can keep love alive, Naini must tell the hard stories, one last time.

Interweaving a medieval adventure with the dilemmas of contemporary romance, The Last Storyteller draws ancient grace into modern lives through the powerful telling of stories.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578563992
• ISBN-13: 978-1578563999
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,212,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning novelist Diane Noble spent most of her first eighteen years in a small mountain village in the High Sierra back country near Yosemite National Park. Growing up among towering pines and rushing waterfalls provided Diane a rich setting in which to let her vivid imagination soar. Her first novel was published in 1994 under the pseudonym Amanda MacLean with four more following in quick succession. She began writing under her own name in 1998, with the publication of one of her most popular works of historical fiction, THE VEIL. THE SISTER WIFE, book one of her new Brides of Gabriel series, is now in bookstores everywhere. Keep in touch with Diane at www.dianenoble.com, http://www.facebook.com/dianenoblebooks, and http://twitter.com/dianenoble.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yesterday , Today and Tomorrow, July 5, 2005

By 

Kathy Heitkemper (The Dalles, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Storyteller (Paperback)

Loved how Diane Noble wove family history together with the stories of three generations of today's women, and seeing how God's hand works miracles yesterday, today and tomorrow. I join the ranks of those readers who could not put the book down until the last page!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, February 14, 2005

By 

R. Bell (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Storyteller (Paperback)

Not often does a novel come along that pulls at the heart strings so hard it leaves you sobbing for the characters, for more. Diane Noble is an amazing author who has the ability to draw you and leave you with a tale that changes your thought, feelings, and life. Not only do I recommend The Last Storyteller I say if you plan to read one book this year make it this one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great book for all to enjoy, July 24, 2005

By 

sharon "sharon k" (ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Storyteller (Paperback)

A beautiful story centred on a young woman called Taite, who finds herself pregnant, seemingly alone and very confused.
Set in present day, but blended carefully with a tale of times long past, the author, with rare honesty confronts some of the hard issues that we currently face in our world today. Namely abortion and stem cell research.
Very well written, the book holds your attention, and touches your heart as Taite works through deeply felt hurt, resentment and unforgiveness.
It is both a modern day love story, (yes, in the end she does marry the young man she loves - the father of her child) and an encouraging tale about a painful, very personal journey which brings much needed healing and restoration.
Throughout the book, the reader is reminded of the importance of life and family, as one regularly meets Taite's naini (grandmother - also a key figure in the book) and her mother. As the storyteller dives into Wales - centuries past, we learn lessons from relatives long ago about faith and love.
I say "go out and buy this book". It is a good love story, with very `human' imperfect characters who struggle through some of the present day issues that all Christians need to address. Throughout the book, we see the Lord at work bringing His love, restoration and healing.
Well done - Mrs Noble.