Listeners will be enthralled by this classic tale of feuding samurai locked in battle. Narrator Brian Nishii's performance is epic, giving life to the novel's sprawling cast of characters. Musashi, a wandering samurai and historical Japanese figure, was first given the historical fiction treatment in the 1930s in a newspaper serialization. The resulting novel recounts a hero's journey, with the titular Musashi experiencing a personal awakening, the discovery of his life's mission to seek "the Way of the Sword" throughout feudal Japan. Yoshikawa's imagery is steeped in historical Japanese environs, which alone make this immersive audiobook captivating. Nishii's tone is often playful and fun yet provides the necessary gravitas to carry listeners through this long, rewarding adventure set in ancient Japan. S.P.C. 2019 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: Aug. 28, 2018
Duration: 53 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781538589892
Publisher: Blackstone 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.
