Cathy Marie Buchanan’s harsh, realistic story, based on the lives of sisters Antoinette, Marie, and Charlotte van Goethem, is enhanced by the understated, unsentimental performances of Cassandra Campbell, Julia Whelan, and Danny Campbell. The narrators transport listeners to the slums and back alleys of Belle-Époque Paris. Campbell reveals Antoinette’s world-weary vision of the Parisian demimonde, the grueling struggle for survival, whether at the Paris Opéra, the washhouse, or the brothel. With vitality, innocence, and heartbreaking naïveté, Whelan voices Marie, a ballet "petit rat" and model for “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen,” by Edgar Dégas. Danny Campbell offers a respite from the girls’ travails, reading actual newspaper articles and quotations from the dominant philosophy of the day. Earthy, erotic, always truthful—this is must listening.
Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2013
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470847609
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An astonishingly unique historical novel, which begins in Trinidad in the 1940s, this is an example of the best that an audiobook can offer. The two narrators, Ron Butler and Bahni Turpin, are superb choices who move the listener smoothly between the two main characters. Farook and Marcia Garcia are star-crossed lovers who don’t have fate on their side. Turpin evokes the rhythms of English as spoken in Trinidad, lyrical, and rhythmic. Through her confident narrative style, Marica Garcia comes across as a strong, beleaguered young woman. Her trials evoke empathy in the listener. Butler establishes the contorted choices that face Farook as an Indian man who is prevented by racism from marrying his true love. This sprawling tale spans Trinidad and the United States, from the 1940s-1960s.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2015
Duration: 13 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In this stand-alone novel set during the Hundred Years' War, Thomas of Hookton, hero of Cornwell's Grail Quest trilogy, returns with his band of mercenaries in pursuit of the sword of Saint Peter—a holy relic said to bestow great power. Naturally, others are also in pursuit and are determined to win the sword at any cost. Jack Hawkins delivers a stunning performance of this dramatic novel of political intrigue and military battle. Throughout, he effortlessly distinguishes characters from all over Western Europe through various accents. Hawkins's thoughtful reading reveals the emotions of the characters, enhancing their portrayals. His performance is full of energy during Cornwell's signature battle scenes, offering the listener a visceral experience of war.
Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2013
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062209344
Publisher: Harper 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.
