The Kiss

Abridged
Author: Danielle Steel
Narrator: Joseph Siravo
Genres: Romance, Fiction
Publisher: Random House (Audio)
Date: October 2001
Length: 6 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 3.5/5
Formats:
  • CD

Overview

On a warm June evening, a red double-decker bus, full of passengers, speeds down a London street. A few blocks away, a man and a woman climb into a limousine, reveling in a magical evening of dancing and champagne. As their driver pulls into an intersection, the couple shares their first, searching kiss. For a moment, etched in time, all stands still -- until, in a flash of metal and glass, their limousine is struck at full speed, crushed under the bus's tremendous weight. And a long journey begins -- toward healing, toward hope, toward dreams of an infinite future. . . .

Isabelle Forrester is the exquisite wife of a prominent Parisian banker who has long since shut her out his heart. For lonely years, Isabelle has lived a life of isolation, pouring her passions into caring for her desperately ill son, Teddy, and into making their Paris home as happy as possible for her teenage daughter, Sophie. Isabelle allows herself one secret pleasure: a long-distance friendship by telephone with an American man, a Washington power broker who travels in the highest circles of politics and who, like Isabelle, is trapped in an empty marriage. To Bill Robinson, Isabelle is a godsend, a woman of extraordinary beauty and intellectual curiosity -- a kindred spirit who touches him across the miles with her warmth and gentle empathy. Their relationship is a gift, a lifeline that sustains them both through the heartache of marriages they cannot leave and will not betray. Agreeing to meet for a few precious, innocent days in London, Isabelle and Bill find their friendship changing. Then, amid the sudden crash of steel against steel, they are thrust onto a new path, a path fraught with pain but also withpossibility.

Now, inside the cool, sterile wards of a London hospital, Isabelle and Bill cling to life, their bodies shattered almost beyond repair. In the days and weeks that follow, they slowly, painfully traverse a road to recovery littered with challenges of the body, spirit, and heart. Together, they must find the strength not only to embrace life again but to face what they have left behind. For Isabelle, a loveless marriage turns into a brutal power struggle. For Bill, a time of healing exposes wounds that cut deeper than steel and realities that will test him to his core. For both, a tangle of changing relationships and the tragedy of another loss conspire to separate them once again. And this time they could lose each other forever.

In a novel that is as compelling as it is compassionate, Danielle Steel weaves a story of courage in the face of unimaginable loss. With the grace of a master storyteller, she explores the strength it takes to conquer our greatest fears, showing us how the toughest choices can yield the most unexpected rewards . . . and how the longest, most winding journeys can begin with a single kiss.

Reviews (12)

The Kiss

Written by Karen Littau on January 15th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

This was a very exciting book and I did not want to stop listening. Would recommend it to anyone.

The Kiss

Written by Angela Jones on March 29th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Another good book. Not Danielle Steel's typical. I loved it.

The Kiss

Written by Mindy Porter from Bolivar, MO on July 12th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

We have listened to or read almost all of Danielle Steel's books and this one was another winner. We usually start a book when we go to bed at night or on the weekends, in this case we started it late Saturday evening. My mother and I neither one slept until the book was finished, It was 5am before we knew it. Once again Danielle has written an outstanding love story that will pull at your heartstrings. It will make you laugh, make you cry, make you angry, make you sad, and make you wish the story would never end. Another must "read" or in this case, "listen to". Kudos to Danielle Steel.

Kiss

Written by Anonymous from New York, NY on March 25th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 2/5

If you are into sweet, totally implausible stories and love Danielle Steel, then this could work for you. If not, skip it. The characters are all pretty bland and all in their own way, a bit pathetic. It was tolerable, but that is all. I like the readers voice, but did not feel it was appropriate for this story.

Great Read (listen)

Written by Anonymous from Novato, CA on April 29th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Great story, kept my interest all the way through!

Kiss

Written by Jan on March 21st, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Enjoyable romantic story. Joseph Siravo, the narrator, has a very pleasant voice.

Kiss

Written by Barbara on March 15th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 3/5

While I enjoyed this book, it was very predictable. Very romantic but curiously read by a man. I did not really care for the reader.

Kiss

Written by Anonymous on March 14th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 2/5

I just may not be into Danielle Steel's writing style, but this book is so drawn out by her describing every single minute detail. I like books that get to the story without all the fluff. I sent it back after listening to only 1/4 of the first CD.

Kiss

Written by Anonymous on March 14th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 2/5

If you like predictable romance, this book is for you. I have not read DS for a very long time, and was reminded that I should not bother.

KISS

Written by Anonymous from Valley, NE on February 5th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 3/5

FOR ME IT STARTED OUT SLOW...BUT AFTER THE 1ST CD IT WAS GOOD

Author Details

Author Details

Steel, Danielle

"America reads Danielle Steel. And so does the rest of the world. There are more than 350 million copies of her books in print, and every book is a number one bestseller. In short, Danielle Steel is the most popular author writing today.

Since 1981, Ms. Steel has been a permanent fixture on The New York Times hardcover, trade paperback, and mass market bestseller lists. In 1989, she was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having at least one of her books on the Times' bestseller list for 381 consecutive weeks. But Guinness was premature. The fact is, one or more of Ms. Steel's novels have been on The New York Times bestseller list for over 390 consecutive weeks. She is read by women, men, young people, older people in 46 countries and 28 languages.

In addition to her writing, Ms. Steel has been the National Chairperson for The American Library Association and a spokesperson for the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Her recorded messages for the organization have been heard on the radio throughout the country. Most recently, Ms. Steel is the national spokesperson for the American Humane Association (AHA). She has done television public service announcements raising awareness about child abuse, which aired on TV stations across the country.

From an education in New York and Europe to a professional background in public relations and advertising, Ms. Steel moved on quickly to her literary career and has been hard at work writing ever since. Often, she works on three books and several movies at a time, researching one storyline, writing another, and editing the third. Still, she often spends two to three years researching and developing a single project. In the heat of a first draft, it is not uncommon for her to spend 18 to 20 hours a day glued to her 1948 Olympia manual typewriter.

Ms. Steel maintains a high interest in the welfare and well-being of children. She has nine. And they keep her busy, as she also juggles her writing career. Ms. Steel leads a quiet family life and spends most of her time writing."