by Edwidge Danticat ; read by Robin Miles ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 2019
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
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Robin Miles's luminous narration will make converts of those who usually abstain from the short story genre. She does not overdo or overemphasize any moment. Her voice has a quiet lushness that suits the carefully curated prose of acclaimed Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat. With subtle alterations in her intonation, pitch, and inflection, Miles creates haunting portraits of characters who are experiencing great challenges. These stories are set in Haitian communities, both in the U.S. and abroad. Miles's delicate accents and flawless pronunciation of Haitian-Creole and French words adds authenticity. With Miles at the helm, listeners can easily imagine all the moments prior to and following the events she portrays, and that gift makes this a rare auditory experience.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2019
Duration: 6 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501987083
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Jess Row ; read by Jim Meskimen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 11, 2026
This uneven story collection can be difficult to follow on audio, making for a challenging listening experience.
Row's collection of 14 stories takes on academia, art, elitism, divorce, current events, and politics. Narrator Jim Meskimen takes an informal approach, portraying the various characters, from spouses to writers to edgy young folks, with distinctive vocal rhythms and effects. The variety in Meskimen’s performance can be distracting, and the stories vary in coherence, with an abundance of stream-of-consciousness passages and details that feel extraneous. In general, the stories share a satirical and scornful view of the cultural norms of the bourgeoisie.
This uneven story collection can be difficult to follow on audio, making for a challenging listening experience.Pub Date: Aug. 11, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063491670
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 3, 2026
by Sigrid Nunez ; read by Rebecca Lowman , Hillary Huber , Gabra Zackman & Catherine Ho ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 14, 2026
All four narrators bring a smart edge to these stories.
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
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Nunez's collection of short stories featuring thoughtful protagonists is well paired with a cast of four talented narrators: Hillary Huber, Rebecca Lowman, Catherine Ho, and Gabra Zackman. The stories are witty, smart, and somewhat cynical. Standout stories include “Philosophers,” drolly narrated by Huber, in which the protagonist remembers a Vietnam-era boyfriend; “Greensleeves,” in which a woman relates her thoughts to her therapist, with narrator Lowman employing an intriguing cadence and rhythm; “The Balloon,” in which the lead character remembers a lover, with narrator Zackman sounding mature, direct, and rational; and “The Naked Juror,” read by Ho, about a woman who wants to be a juror.
All four narrators bring a smart edge to these stories.Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 12 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217336777
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: July 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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