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Homeland: Phantom Pain

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unabridged Audible audiobook;

Emmy Award-winner Damian Lewis, who stars as Former Congressman and U.S. Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody in the hit series Homeland, narrates this original Homeland story of Brody's journey into exile. Picking up at the end of Season 2 after he has parted from Carrie at the border, Brody relates, in the form of a letter to Carrie, his desperate escape by sea and land as the world's most-hunted fugitive. Guided off the grid by a former CIA analyst and a battle-scarred French mercenary, he stays in the shadows...both physically and emotionally. But wherever he goes and whoever he meets, he cannot stop thinking about Carrie.
This powerful audio-only story is the perfect complement to your Season 3 viewing, and a great way for current and new fans to get to know what drives one of the most fascinating characters on television.

©2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved. (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

1 pages, Audible Audio

First published October 8, 2013

45 people want to read

About the author

Glenn Gers

3 books2 followers

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5 stars
23 (12%)
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46 (25%)
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83 (46%)
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23 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Rose.
2,016 reviews1,095 followers
November 6, 2014
Quick review for a quick read. "Phantom Pain" was a surprisingly intriguing read, and made even better by Damian Lewis's excellent narration in the audiobook. This is the story of Brody from the series "Homeland" - kind of a lead-in story about how he goes into exile. Note that this is a bridge story between Season 2 and Season 3 of the series. Brody is a broken man writing in letter form his respective experiences and journey. The story assumes that you know certain events to supplement the narrative, but I found it an intriguing read as a stand-alone story. The writing is very strong, and Brody's personality and emotional state leaps from the story in a vivid account that I could feel for. Coupled with encounters with colorful characters and a marked betrayal all while lamenting a love lost, Lewis's narration brings the emotion home from Brody's character. While a brief read, it held my attention throughout until the last line.

I would definitely want to read more of Brody's experiences given this narration, as well as hear more narratives from Lewis's dictations.

Overall score: 4.5/5 stars
Profile Image for John.
448 reviews67 followers
October 17, 2013
"They call it 'phantom pain.' Part of your mind doesn't know how to let go."

This could have been better. The story it tells is largely unnecessary (if it were vital to Brody's arc, it obviously would've been included on screen) and mostly boring. The first 20 or so minutes are a lot of "I went here, then I went here, and I was in a box, and I thought about you a lot, Carrie." There's some actual characterization in the last few minutes, allowing us into the mind of Brody. Everything else is superfluous.

Damian Lewis is 100% in character, though, so that makes the rather boring first portion at least entertaining. The writing, though, is just generally poor in this section, particularly the structure. It seems so lazy (and unrealistic) to have this whole story of Brody's border-crossing framed as a letter he's writing to Carrie. It would have been less melodramatic and more believable if it were just notes he was taking while being hidden away on his journey. And if the author were dead set on having it structured as this letter, then at least let us hear Brody's thoughts a little more often rather than giving a play-by-play of his escape.

Still, you can't go wrong when it's free. If you watch Homeland, it's an okay gap-filler.
Profile Image for Julie.
316 reviews
May 17, 2020
I'm not sure why I read this or why I'm reviewing it, but it was only a few minutes of my time. This is a brief audio vignette that fills in the gaps between seasons 2 & 3 of Showtime's Homeland. Some history, I got into Homeland very recently after everyone else was already on season 8 or so. I actually loved seasons 1 & 2, mostly for the tense and passionate game of cat & mouse between Carrie and Brody. At the end of Season 2, though, you still can't be sure whether or not Brody is just playing Carrie. There's still so much suspense. Season 3 picks up after a chunk of time with Brody on another continent dying of a gun shot wound, completely unexplained. Season 3 never explains the gun shot wound and neither does this audio book. It does put you in Brody's head, though, and ends any mystery over whether or not he still has terrorist intentions or whether he's playing Carrie. Poof. There's goes all the cat & mouse intrigue. Glad I didn't know this "book" existed until after I'd finished season 3. Eh, probably won't bother with the other Homeland vignettes.
395 reviews60 followers
October 28, 2013
This was a mistake, Carrie. Running was a mistake. Bring me in safe and let me tell the truth. No more running, no more lies.

Composed as a letter from Brody to Carrie, and narrated by Damian Lewis, Phantom Pain is a very satisfying complement to Season 3 of Homeland.
He studied me with something like awe. "You are truly the worst terrorist I have ever met. With nonsense like that and your friends in the CIA, I thought you would be another spider, hiding under the rug, sneaking out to bite. I have met them, these soldiers of God. That's not you. You're not even a good patsy. You think too much for yourself, and you care so much about individuals. It's all personal for you, isn't it? You're a fucking civilian."

Recommended to those who are curious about what Brody's been up to from the end of Season 2 to when he finally appeared in Season 3, a little worse for wear.
Profile Image for Matt.
4,812 reviews13.1k followers
March 6, 2014
A very brief and, to my mind, somewhat disconnected diary entry by Nicholas Brody as part of the larger HOMELAND series. Directed at Carrie after she pulls strings to get him down to South America, hidden on a freighter, Brody shares some of his insights about the journey and the locals when he makes it there. He shares some sentiments he shares about her as his family will surely have turned against him. He worries about what the media portrayal of his decisions might be and how that will reflect on him and those he loves. With some clever metaphors, Gers ties together the short story's theme and its title. Perhaps a little cheesey, reflecting back now.

Nothing stellar or really worth investing any money into, the listener (reader) can enjoy some quick entertainment that really does not further their knowledge of Brody or his role in the larger HOMELAND series. That said.... as with anything Homeland these days, it's sure to get quite a bit of attention.
Profile Image for Katherine Hayward Pérez .
1,674 reviews77 followers
April 24, 2015
A short, but very well written book surrounding the events between seasons 2 and 3 of the Homeland TV series, where Sgt. Nicholas Brody is sent to South America by Carrie. It's written like a letter or diary entry to her, and details his experience, the journey his feelings throughout and details of who he travels with. and who he meets once he gets to Honduras and what it's like there as well as what happens there.
A very pleasant short listen (I listened to the Audible audiobook). The audiobook was made that much more special by the flawless, action-packed and gripping writing style which came to life completely because of being narrated by none other than Damian Lewis himself (who plays Sgt. Nicholas Brody in the series).
A complete MUST read/ listen for Homeland fans everywhere! I can't wait to listen to the audio version of Carrie's story.
This review can be seen on www.myreadingparadise.com
Profile Image for Dennis.
27 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2013
Short, atmospheric "intra"-story which fits in nicely with the plot of Homeland, Season 3. It also helps explain Nicholas Brody's motivations and inner life in a consistent way; and it enriches my experience of the show. The description of Brody's 21-day trip, locked into the inside of a shipping container, on a cargo ship, was especially harrowing and realistic despite the fact that he had been provided with all amenities.

I hope that Audible and "Homeland", as well as other TV series, continue to adopt this strategy of publishing stories and audio-books inside of their fictional universes! A very good idea.
Profile Image for Jessi.
512 reviews8 followers
December 1, 2014
I hadn't really listened to an audio book before, but this was very interesting. I liked that Damien Lewis did the audio, but it was tough to keep my mind trained on the story. I also had to find time to grab headphones and actually listen, as opposed to reading during a tv show or commercials, or whenever I had a free moment in between something else. I'm glad I tried it, and glad they filled in the gap with this story, especially given how the season went after this. Very interesting and I wish more shows did this, or at least made it more known when they did.
Profile Image for Emily G.
561 reviews12 followers
December 31, 2014
I always wondered if I was missing out not watching Homeland, so I thought I'd give this free Audible book a go.

What I would say is that you really need to have seen the series to fully enjoy it. That said, it does work as a standalone story too. It's an interesting half hour snapshot of how someone copes with having to leave his life and everything he loves behind to go on the run, but I can't say that it has made me desperately want to watch Homeland though.
Profile Image for Rob Hermanowski.
899 reviews6 followers
November 7, 2013
This very short audio-only book is ready by Damian Lewis, the actor who pays Brophy in the excellent TV series "Homeland". This story serves as a link a to what happens to Brophy as an accused terrorist, between the events of seasons three and four. Enjoyable, but for "Homeland" devotees only!
Profile Image for Steve Cardamenis.
115 reviews
November 10, 2013
Nice but too brief story used to fill in a gap in Brody's story. Nice added extra for fans of Honeland
Profile Image for Alex Walker.
212 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2013
Good wee short story bridging series 2 and 3 of Homeland. Worth a listen to Damien Lewis reading this if you watch the TV programme.
Profile Image for Ilze Sweeney.
28 reviews7 followers
December 9, 2013
Tāds nedaudz emocionāls "tiltiņš" starp Homeland otro un trešo sezonu Broudija sniegumā.
Profile Image for Scott Widener.
312 reviews10 followers
January 19, 2014
Interesting makes the reader want to find out more about the series. Easy listening, plot, and narration.
Profile Image for Guy.
230 reviews3 followers
April 5, 2014
Like the show, this thinks it is pretty smart, but I thought it stunk. Free, though. Interesting promotion idea.
46 reviews
April 15, 2015
This was a nice story. I have enjoyed the TV show for years. I listened to it on audio, and it was a bonus that it was read by the actor who played Brody.
Profile Image for Philip.
453 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2020
It's been years since the events preceding this story took place in the TV series Homeland but this quick letter brought it all back. If you enjoyed the show and the Brody character then this is an absolute treat, a must.
Profile Image for Liz.
1,836 reviews13 followers
September 10, 2020
Not bad, just not much. This would probably be of interest to those who watch this TV show. It is a short snippet from an ongoing series.
197 reviews
November 8, 2024
“You are truly the worst terrorist I have ever met. With nonsense like that and your friends in the CIA. I thought you would be another spider, hiding under the rug, sneaking out to bite. I have met them, these soldiers of god. That’s not you. You’re not even a good patsy. You think too much for yourself. And you care so much about individuals! It’s all personal for you isn’t it? You’re a fucking civilian!”

Although perhaps just a small blip on the grand radar screen of the literary world, Homeland: Phantom Pain is an Audible.com release worth mentioning. Showtime and Audible came together to create this free 3o-minute audiobook, narrated by Sergeant Nicholas Brody himself, Damian Lewis. A noir glimpse into Brody’s journey between Seasons 1 and 2, Phantom Pain is a chance to see what we miss when we can only spend an hour a week with these characters.

Lewis is a fantastic narrator, which isn’t always a given when actors turn to story narration. We can’t forget Molly Ringwald’s bracing performance of The Middlesteins, in which it seemed she was gasping her way through each line almost desperate for the book to end. Lewis’s narration is understated but comes across as softer than he portrays his character on the show, and there is something irresistibly charming about him writing a letter to Carrie: “I tried to imagine what you were doing at that very moment. All mussed up in your bed or all put together in your suit, with your ID tag clipped to the pocket.” Lewis manages to convey emotion without distracting from the words he’s reading, which can be quite a challenge. Narrators must walk a fine line between blasé and hokey, Lewis does it well.

The story here is poignant for both the main characters on the show, and emphasizes a bit of the love story that has been lost in this second season without getting sappy. I was skeptical of listening to this at all, even thought I downloaded it quite a while ago, as I thought a TV tie-in work of fiction would be pretty low quality. I think anyone who likes to read and watches the show will be pleasantly surprised, however. This isn’t an adventure style promo-piece, it is a great addition to the show that gives us a realistic glimpse into Brody’s struggle to come to terms with being the most wanted man in the world, traveling in foreign lands, with memorable and untrustworthy characters.

This would make sense with Homeland, as with many of the TV shows as of late. As Difficult Men, a book I recently reviewed noted, TV has gone through a sort of cultural renaissance. Where it was once considered fairly low brow (and certainly, much of it still is), TV shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Wire, and certainly Homeland can claim to be works of art on par with many movies or books. It would then make sense that this type of television translates more successfully into literature.

The buzz is that more of these stories are on the way… We can only hope! If you don’t have an Audible.com account and you like to read, I can’t suggest it enough. The company lets you return any audiobooks you don’t like, no questions ask. They also giveaway a lot of stuff (like this story). I double (at least) the amount of books I read by listening to audiobooks in the car, while I’m doing chores around the house, and while I’m taking walks or doing other exercise. I have a Bluetooth headset so I don’t have to worry about being connected to my phone. People often ask me how I read so much–and I do, certainly, I read a bunch. But I also listen!

Summary

Quick review for a quick read. “Phantom Pain” was a surprisingly intriguing read, and made even better by Damian Lewis’s excellent narration in the audiobook. This is the story of Brody from the series “Homeland” – kind of a lead-in story about how he goes into exile. Note that this is a bridge story between Season 2 and Season 3 of the series. Brody is a broken man writing in letter form his respective experiences and journey. The story assumes that you know certain events to supplement the narrative, but I found it an intriguing read as a stand-alone story. The writing is very strong, and Brody’s personality and emotional state leaps from the story in a vivid account that I could feel for. Coupled with encounters with colorful characters and a marked betrayal all while lamenting a love lost, Lewis’s narration brings the emotion home from Brody’s character. While a brief read, it held my attention throughout until the last line.

I would definitely want to read more of Brody’s experiences given this narration, as well as hear more narratives from Lewis’s dictations.

Overall score: 4.5/5 stars

Related articles

Showtime’s ‘Homeland’ Extends Plot With Audible.com Stories (mashable.com)
TV: Interview: Damian Lewis on Brody’s life as a fugitive (avclub.com)
Brody Gets an Audiobook to Tell His Side of the Story on ‘Homeland’ (theatlanticwire.com)
Profile Image for Kali.
524 reviews38 followers
November 17, 2013
from kalireads.com:

"You are truly the worst terrorist I have ever met. With nonsense like that and your friends in the CIA. I thought you would be another spider, hiding under the rug, sneaking out to bite. I have met them, these soldiers of god. That's not you. You're not even a good patsy. You think too much for yourself. And you care so much about individuals! It's all personal for you isn't it? You're a fucking civilian!"

Although perhaps just a small blip on the grand radar screen of the literary world, Homeland: Phantom Pain is an Audible.com release worth mentioning. Showtime and Audible came together to create this free 3o-minute audiobook, narrated by Sergeant Nicholas Brody himself, Damian Lewis. A noir glimpse into Brody's journey between Seasons 1 and 2, Phantom Pain is a chance to see what we miss when we can only spend an hour a week with these characters.

Lewis is a fantastic narrator, which isn't always a given when actors turn to story narration. We can't forget Molly Ringwald's bracing performance of The Middlesteins, in which it seemed she was gasping her way through each line almost desperate for the book to end. Lewis's narration is understated but comes across as softer than he portrays his character on the show, and there is something irresistibly charming about him writing a letter to Carrie: "I tried to imagine what you were doing at that very moment. All mussed up in your bed or all put together in your suit, with your ID tag clipped to the pocket." Lewis manages to convey emotion without distracting from the words he's reading, which can be quite a challenge. Narrators must walk a fine line between blasé and hokey, Lewis does it well.

The story here is poignant for both the main characters on the show, and emphasizes a bit of the love story that has been lost in this second season without getting sappy. I was skeptical of listening to this at all, even thought I downloaded it quite a while ago, as I thought a TV tie-in work of fiction would be pretty low quality. I think anyone who likes to read and watches the show will be pleasantly surprised, however. This isn't an adventure style promo-piece, it is a great addition to the show that gives us a realistic glimpse into Brody's struggle to come to terms with being the most wanted man in the world, traveling in foreign lands, with memorable and untrustworthy characters.

This would make sense with Homeland, as with many of the TV shows as of late. As Difficult Men, a book I recently reviewed noted, TV has gone through a sort of cultural renaissance. Where it was once considered fairly low brow (and certainly, much of it still is), TV shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Wire, and certainly Homeland can claim to be works of art on par with many movies or books. It would then make sense that this type of television translates more successfully into literature.

The buzz is that more of these stories are on the way... We can only hope!
Profile Image for Wanda Hartzenberg.
Author 5 books73 followers
February 23, 2014
Although well written and narrated by an expert this book out of context lacked the hook to motivate me to read more.
Only now that I have signed on do I realize it is part of a tv show I have not watched.

I suspect followers of the show will get far more from this I did.

WaAr
Profile Image for Alec.
28 reviews14 followers
June 13, 2014
This is an entertaining story of Sgt. Brody and what he has been up to between season 2 and season 3. I can only recommend this book if you have seen the show because it adds more to the character Brody. If you try to pick this up as a stand alone you will be severely lost.
Profile Image for Andrew Obrigewitsch.
951 reviews166 followers
October 22, 2013
I have to start this off by saying I've never seen this show, so I'm sure this book would be interesting if you've seen the show, but if you have not it does not stand on it's own.
Profile Image for Simon.
Author 91 books519 followers
October 24, 2013
It's an interesting story, but it's more of a scene from the show than a self contained short story.
Profile Image for Kelly.
376 reviews4 followers
November 25, 2015
I've never seen the television series but now I'm interested based on this short story from the same writers and narrated by the actor.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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