E.L. Doctorow's nonlinear plot poses a challenge for narrator Mark Deakins, who nonetheless imparts an impressive range of characters. His strong performance seizes each moment of Daniel Isaacson's shambles of a life. When he was a child, his parents--characters based on the real-life Julius and Ethel Rosenberg--were executed for conspiring to steal atomic secrets for the Soviet Union in the 1950s. Deakins traces Daniel's coming to terms with the historical context of his loss and provides flawless shifts in Daniel's emotions and perspective. But, as an audiobook, the story is difficult to follow, particularly its time shifts. This novel is a lesson in leftist politics, judgmental attitudes, and public perception, which changed dramatically over the years, leaving Daniel grasping for meaning in a world increasingly indifferent to his parents' sacrifice.
Pub Date: Dec. 17, 2013
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780804163781
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Reader Michael Prichard delivers a convincing rendition of Archie Goodwin, the burly right hand of the portly Nero Wolfe, world-renowned gourmand and detective. Prichard preserves the 1970s setting and 1950s origins of the story, bringing listeners a well-paced narration of murder and politics--a combination of elements that usually guarantees an exciting listen. This audio entertainment is as well formed and fragrant as one of Wolfe's hothouse orchids (the stout sleuth cultivates them by the hundreds in his town house greenhouse) as Goodwin walks us through an explosive murder investigation and political wheeling and dealing in a tough yet intelligent read.
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2006
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Partners
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This collection of eight short stories contains gentle tales of fantasy and magic--not the magic of wizards and wands, but of wishing mats and enormous cats and gifts brought by the winds. In a lovely English accent, Lizza Aiken quietly narrates these stories in which magic and good fortune often come to those who deserve it. Although her pitch changes little, she registers a range of emotions--from the sadness of a girl whose necklace of raindrops has been stolen to the joy of a child who moves from a hard life and a ramshackle trailer to a happy home amid the clouds. A NECKLACE OF RAINDROPS would make a soothing choice for a family car trip after a long day.
Ages 6+Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
Duration: 1 hr, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101915721
Publisher: Listening Library
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.
