Alice Thrift, surgical intern and second in her Harvard Medical School class, is a lonely, almost reclusive, woman who never learned tact or social graces. When Ray Russo, a loud, flashy carnival fudge-seller, begins pursuing her, she is overwhelmed by his attention blitz. Alice relates the backstory of their courtship and doomed marriage with the dry wit and ironic humor of a survivor of the war between the sexes. Narrator/author Elinor Lipman doesn't attempt to perform but, because these are her creations, her reading offers insights into their motives and behaviors. Lipman's voice is delicate yet direct, perfect for Alice's overly serious, deadpan observations, especially concerning Ray's shortcomings and her friends' dire warnings. Lipman's intimate connection with each character makes this, her eighth novel, a worthwhile listening experience.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2003
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Sound Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A resonant listening experience rich with biting social commentary.
Narrator Katharine Chin elevates this contemporary coming-of-age story featuring four Asian American friends. Diana, Justin, Errol, and Vivian all attended great schools and earned good grades, but in the aftermath of graduating into the Great Recession of 2008, they find themselves unemployed and living at home. Grace, a former classmate, makes a YouTube video about the group and their failure to meet expectations called “Bad Asians.” The video goes viral, upending their lives in the early days of the internet. Chin brings each character distinctly to life through subtle tonal shifts. Her reflective tone conveys the story’s thought-provoking exploration of identity, cultural expectations, and the meaning of success.
A resonant listening experience rich with biting social commentary.Pub Date: yesterday
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250433244
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 10, 2026
Narrated by an ensemble cast, this audiobook explores the lives, successes, failures, and frailties of a half-dozen friends from the early 2000s to 2024. The novel's narrators are all talented and capture the millennial characters' struggles well. Jill Paice performs Mia, a writer who is the only single person in the group, with fine tempo and pacing while conveying her angsty tone. Santino Fontana is equally impressive as the brilliant Marco, and Christian Barillas nails the complex alcoholic Richie. The stories unfold during a series of parties, events, and celebrations (New Year's, wedding, birthday, Halloween, funeral) that reveal the characters' issues and relationships over their two decades since graduating from Penn. A meaningful look at millennial lifestyles and a worthwhile listen.
Pub Date: yesterday
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797194356
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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