by Anita Diamant ; read by Dagmara Dominczyk ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 8, 2009
The author of THE RED TENT creates the story of four Jewish women who fled Nazi-held Europe for Palestine, and who are being detained at a British-run refugee camp there. The horrific memories they share create close bonds of friendship. Dagmara Dominczyk’s vivid characterizations and polished performance of their individual stories are compelling and bittersweet. In particular, she captures their fear when they're told to undress and shower upon arrival at the camp—a simple act that has terrifying implications for them. Dominczyk gives a feeling of realism to a fictional narrative that is drawn from actual events in 1945, when more than 200 prisoners were rescued from the British camp on the Mediterranean coast, south of Haifa.
Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2009
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Jean M. Auel ; read by Rowena Cooper ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
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
by Jeanne Larsen ; read by Susan Clark ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
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
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.