Five talented actors honor Geraldine Brooks’s fine new historical novel with unique and complementary performances. Inspired by the actual record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, the story takes place in the 1850s, 1950, and 2019. James Fouhey gives the enslaved groom Jarret an affecting blend of defiance and devotion, and performs slave owners with a telling superiority. Graham Halstead’s mix of approachability and abruptness reveals the kindness and fragile social standing of Thomas Scott, the horse’s portraitist. Lisa Flanagan’s breezy energy offers a vibrant portrait of Martha, a 1950 gallery owner. Michael Obiora offers poignant determination as Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian. And Katherine Littrell gives Jess, a Smithsonian scientist, forthright exuberance that charms. Together, they create a gripping, memorable, and thought-provoking American tale.
Pub Date: June 14, 2022
Duration: 14 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593552933
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In this fascinating coming-of-age portrait, Thomas Black Bull's journey from the child, Bear's Brother, to the fearsome rodeo rider, Killer Tom Black, is painted with compassion and insight. Forced to learn the White Man's ways, Tom reaches adulthood consumed by rage. Read with great vigor by Norman Dietz, the recording bursts with the energy of rodeo circuit and transports the listener to the southwest. The accurate portrayal of Tom's Ute ancestry and way of life, the sorrow and frustration of losing his heritage, and his angry retaliation at the world make this an excellent listening choice for adults and teenagers. It would also be a wonderful addition to high school units on the Native American experience.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
George S. Irving adopts Patrick McManus's characters with gusto. Sit back and listen to yarn after yarn. Irving relishes each story, whether it's fishing stories, such as "Claw of the Sea-Puss" or "To Filet or Not to Filet," or the escapades with McManus's wary but vulnerable neighbors. Irving has the jocular chuckle down pat, and the low comedy satire comes off without a hitch. Listeners can imagine Irving tipping back a chair at the country store swapping lies with cronies and entertaining any comers with these hilarious tales. His repertoire of more than eight collections of McManus stories encourages this kind of ownership!
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: DH Audio
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.
