William DeMeritt narrates this story set in a dystopian future in which the power elites rule "surplus" people of color. The plot revolves around baseball. Grant, a former teacher; Eleanor, his wife; and their mixed-race daughter, Gwen, are key characters. DeMeritt shifts between a low pitch and slow pace for Grant and higher, clipped voices for the younger characters. But it's with the mechanical voice of the "auto" house that DeMeritt shines, sounding, appropriately, like a robot. Gwen's ability as a pitcher catches the eye of the ruling class, who want her to play for Auto America's college team. Baseball gives a sense of identity to the characters as DeMeritt keeps things moving in this quietly chilling story.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593169919
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Gregoire's performance of these original stories stimulates listeners' imagination, providing plenty of food for thought.
Samek's collection of 12 short stories is thought provoking, surreal, and original. These creative stories are linked by several common threads: psychology, technology, and time. Narrator Chandler Gregoire adopts a personable tone, feminine and relatable, though her pacing can sometimes become a little bit rapid. Several standout stories from the collection include the titular tale of an older brother who has a puppeteer to control him; “Muscle to Muscle, Toe to Toe,” in which a couple is matched by an algorithm but it ends up feeling artificial; and “The Cloud,” in which mothers' limbs are stored in the cloud.
Gregoire's performance of these original stories stimulates listeners' imagination, providing plenty of food for thought.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217278107
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
In a somber performance, Sue Jean Kim delivers this collection of 10 dystopian short stories that explore climate disaster in the near future. Her quiet delivery captures a deep human longing for connection, love, and meaning. Standout stories include "Biodome," in which New Seoul is enclosed under a protective dome to shield residents from toxic air pollution, and "Older Sister," which portrays two sisters' complex relationship against the backdrop of the LA riots following the Rodney King verdict. Kim showcases her range with varied voices and accents, as well as fluid French pronunciations. Her passionate delivery of the author's note closes this melancholic collection with a powerful call to action. A slow-paced yet thought-provoking listen that transports audiences across space and time.
Pub Date: Dec. 2, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063446410
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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