A tender robot’s journey to make sense of her imperfect world and her attempts to make it better.
This topical audiobook explores deeply human experiences of aging, death, and family estrangement from the surprisingly sweet perspective of an artificially intelligent Roomba who names herself Scout. In the near future, a house full of sentient devices and their beloved human family slowly learn to fear and resist the Grid, an all-knowing intelligence that forcibly “optimizes” human lives through its control of technology. Narrator Jennifer Jill Araya’s voice for Scout’s naïve perspective is high-pitched and guileless, sounding both friendly and frank. Scout experiences everything—even grief and fear—for the first time with curiosity. Araya’s voice for wise Clock is lower and slower, heavy with the knowledge that time ravages all humans in the end. Araya’s voice for each human character and each device is unique, even as the Grid tries to stamp out individuality and messy emotions.
A tender robot’s journey to make sense of her imperfect world and her attempts to make it better.Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 52 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668135532
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
In this sequel to Terms of Endearment, Larry McMurtry brings back Aurora Greenway, who is now dealing with her various lovers and friends plus three grown grandchildren with a variety of problems. He presents a tale of growing up and growing old which is bittersweet and funny. Narrator Ivey uses a slight east Texas accent which authenticates the setting of the story. Each character's voice has a slightly different inflection to differentiate it. It all works together well. As you listen, you feel as if you might actually be in Houston sharing the lives of these resilient and refreshing people.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 20 hrs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
To Fred Fairly, a Cambridge Fellow, truth is everything. What then is the truth about the woman he finds beside him when he awakens? English conventions and mores of 1912 Cambridge are central to this period piece. Callow's wonderful voice and interpretation make accents, personalities and gender come alive, and help make sense of the frequent time and character shifts. His delivery enhances a most clever "choose your own ending."
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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