Sitara Attaie is a strong choice to narrate these compelling short stories written by modern Afghani women. She delivers the variety of fictional experiences found in this unique volume, maximizing the power inherent in the wide-ranging, timely, and compelling storylines. Listeners are treated to stories of individuals who are struggling for personal autonomy against history, ongoing conflict, and restrictive cultural systems. From teens to housewives--they exert their power despite social constraints. Attaie lends her assertive voice to these writers, who are reaching international audiences for the first time. For fans of world literature, this is a rare volume that translates new Dari and Pashto writers into English.
Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022
Duration: 6 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668612262
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
All four narrators bring a smart edge to these stories.
Nunez's collection of short stories featuring thoughtful protagonists is well paired with a cast of four talented narrators: Hillary Huber, Rebecca Lowman, Catherine Ho, and Gabra Zackman. The stories are witty, smart, and somewhat cynical. Standout stories include “Philosophers,” drolly narrated by Huber, in which the protagonist remembers a Vietnam-era boyfriend; “Greensleeves,” in which a woman relates her thoughts to her therapist, with narrator Lowman employing an intriguing cadence and rhythm; “The Balloon,” in which the lead character remembers a lover, with narrator Zackman sounding mature, direct, and rational; and “The Naked Juror,” read by Ho, about a woman who wants to be a juror.
All four narrators bring a smart edge to these stories.Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 12 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217336777
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: July 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
Upbeat, intuitive performances bring a curious collection to life.
Narrators Sarah Welborn and Matt Godfrey fully embrace the quirkiness of this short story collection. Welborn reads the stories led by female roles with an upbeat wryness, pausing on certain words and drawing them out and making some statements into questions, as if to poke fun at the bizarre turns of plot. Matt Godfrey, on the other hand, gives a buoyant nostalgia to the male leads, boys trying to find their place in the world. The vocal energy is sometimes at odds with the stories’ darker messages, but it doesn’t make the performance any less enjoyable.
Upbeat, intuitive performances bring a curious collection to life.Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 58 mins
DD ISBN: 9781696614221
Publisher: HighBridge
Review Posted Online: tomorrow
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
