Narrator Edoardo Ballerini's soft intonation sets the mood for this delightful story of postwar Italian-Americans in the Philadelphia suburbs. Ballerini's range of voices and accents distinguishes the characters and gives personality to both males and females. His delivery deepens the listener's connection to the plot, which centers on family dynamics, the theater world, romance, and friendship. Author Trigiani's well-loved humor and ability to capture the characters' culture take the spotlight in this celebration of all things Italian, including colorful language and culinary specialties. Ballerini's enthusiasm for the audiobook is contagious, even as he is sometimes too ardent. He tones down his performance, however, when the story turns to more complex themes such as ethnic differences and the difficulties of departing from society's expectations.
Pub Date: June 20, 2017
Duration: 16 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062657275
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ayla, one of the "others," is adopted by a clan of Neanderthal cave people. She struggles to conform to their ways, but her advanced human traits overwhelm and threaten their primitive culture in this initial installment of an immensely popular series. Although the story might benefit from abridgment, Rowena Cooper easily carries out the formidable task of enlivening the mostly silent and stereotypical characters with consistent, diverse personalities and human dimension. Through skillful phrasing and inflection, she maintains the reader's interest and suspense, especially with Ayla and her plight, throughout this rambling and imaginative story.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This lyrical, sensual novel of woman's lot in Manchu, China, is as well researched as it is well written. Authentic in tone, it's nonetheless written for Westerners by a Western expert on China. Moreover, Susan Clark performs the demanding text superbly, with only occasional signs of fatigue. For the most part she not only sustains the quaint diction and Asian atmosphere, but also, creates whole worlds with her voice. She acts the book, rather than reads it, and, in so doing, turns a pretty trifle into a stupendous beauty.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Literature
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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