This life-affirming story is made real by three extraordinary narrators.
Classon’s debut, set in the northern woods of Minnesota, is a character-driven tale. Aasne Vigesaa tells the story of Norry Last, owner of the Last Resort. Vigesaa gives her a friendly voice as she opens her resort, and eventually, her heart, to unexpected “lost souls” blown in by a late-season blizzard. Handyman Bud’s calming, patient Minnesota accent brings comfort. Malcom Hilgartner captures Wendell’s self-pitying attitude as he finds himself a resident of the Last Resort after his house collapses around him. Hilgartner’s voice reflects Wendall's journey from judgmental hermit to grateful neighbor. Kate Coventry realistically captures 8-year-old Lizzie’s fear, hope, and optimism and her mother’s impatience and frustration with life.
This life-affirming story is made real by three extraordinary narrators.Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 9 mins
DD ISBN: 9781511380195
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
In this fascinating coming-of-age portrait, Thomas Black Bull's journey from the child, Bear's Brother, to the fearsome rodeo rider, Killer Tom Black, is painted with compassion and insight. Forced to learn the White Man's ways, Tom reaches adulthood consumed by rage. Read with great vigor by Norman Dietz, the recording bursts with the energy of rodeo circuit and transports the listener to the southwest. The accurate portrayal of Tom's Ute ancestry and way of life, the sorrow and frustration of losing his heritage, and his angry retaliation at the world make this an excellent listening choice for adults and teenagers. It would also be a wonderful addition to high school units on the Native American experience.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
George S. Irving adopts Patrick McManus's characters with gusto. Sit back and listen to yarn after yarn. Irving relishes each story, whether it's fishing stories, such as "Claw of the Sea-Puss" or "To Filet or Not to Filet," or the escapades with McManus's wary but vulnerable neighbors. Irving has the jocular chuckle down pat, and the low comedy satire comes off without a hitch. Listeners can imagine Irving tipping back a chair at the country store swapping lies with cronies and entertaining any comers with these hilarious tales. His repertoire of more than eight collections of McManus stories encourages this kind of ownership!
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: DH Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© 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.
