A true coming-of-age story, THE STREET OF A THOUSAND BLOSSOMS follows Hiroshi and Kenji Matsumoto, orphaned brothers in the tumultuous period before, during, and after WWII in Japan. As the boys face hunger, cruelty, and the death of friends, their innocence is lost--replaced with their honor and pride as grown men. Through the eyes of the boys, Japan is destroyed and rebuilt. Stephen Park narrates with grace, smoothly delivering the many Japanese names and dialogue. While not overtly acting, he gives life to each character, capturing strong Hiroshi and artistic Kenji. A cast of colorful secondary characters gives depth to the novel, creating a rich portrayal of life in mid-century Japan.
Pub Date: Sept. 4, 2007
Duration: 14 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ayla, one of the "others," is adopted by a clan of Neanderthal cave people. She struggles to conform to their ways, but her advanced human traits overwhelm and threaten their primitive culture in this initial installment of an immensely popular series. Although the story might benefit from abridgment, Rowena Cooper easily carries out the formidable task of enlivening the mostly silent and stereotypical characters with consistent, diverse personalities and human dimension. Through skillful phrasing and inflection, she maintains the reader's interest and suspense, especially with Ayla and her plight, throughout this rambling and imaginative story.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This lyrical, sensual novel of woman's lot in Manchu, China, is as well researched as it is well written. Authentic in tone, it's nonetheless written for Westerners by a Western expert on China. Moreover, Susan Clark performs the demanding text superbly, with only occasional signs of fatigue. For the most part she not only sustains the quaint diction and Asian atmosphere, but also, creates whole worlds with her voice. She acts the book, rather than reads it, and, in so doing, turns a pretty trifle into a stupendous beauty.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Literature
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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