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 striking exploration of friendship between women and its power to heal a broken heart.
Remy is an author with a bestselling debut and no idea how to write her second novel; Simone is a primary school teacher with a less-than-kid-friendly side hustle. When Remy and Simone meet amid a series of personal crises, their unlikely friendship is exactly what they need to start their journeys back to happiness. Narrator Isabel Adomakoh Young conjures a pair of delightfully distinct voices for the women at the heart of this audiobook. Remy’s brash confidence masks deep insecurities about herself, while Simone’s quiet certainty covers her pain at her estrangement from her family. Young expertly peppers the background characters with authentic London and West African accents.
A striking exploration of friendship between women and its power to heal a broken heart.Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 5 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250433800
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: April 21, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
With a pervasive tone of uneasiness, Chin steadily leads listeners through the years.
Katharine Chin voices Jane Kim, a Korean American law student whose dysfunctional family is forced to reconcile their lives witha traumatic event and its implications. Over the span of 30 years, Jane is belittled by her family andunfavorably compared to her brother, Kevin, who is given preferential treatment as the son. Chin captures the tension between Jane and her mother and brother during drawn-out arguments, which can sound painfully repetitive. The book’s heart is found in a sibling relationship that feels overwhelmingly fraught as cultural and familial pressures reach a boiling point.
With a pervasive tone of uneasiness, Chin steadily leads listeners through the years.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 59 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668653678
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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