Listeners will be moved by this poignant memoir of a painful, chaotic childhood, superbly narrated by Cynthia Farrell. Sounding like she wrote the words herself, Farrell conveys Herrera's evocative depictions of her and her sister Blair's frequent changes in living situations and schools. They were uprooted from Cape Cod to go to Boston, then to New York, Mexico, and other locales, where they were often left with relatives or paid help for extended periods. Herrera's parents are self-described "upper bohemians"--born to wealth and privilege and dedicated to lives of adventure, romance, and artistic expression. With a wistful intonation and an unhurried pace, Farrell expresses what Herrera chooses to leave unsaid or understated, illuminating the lasting impact that parental neglect has had on Herrera.
Pub Date: June 22, 2021
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797110004
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
James Michener tells the real stories behind the man and his books. The recording is read with skill and consistency although the reader does little to enhance the robust, larger-than-life incidents related in the book. Due to the first-person narrative format, there is no opportunity for the narrator to change his voice. This makes some chapters monotonous as they go on and on in the typical Michener style. The listener may also become confused because the stories are not told chronologically. This is not a great choice for the audio format, but Michener fans may stick with it to the end.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In a quest for a sense of inner contentment and self-worth, Gloria Steinem brings the reader on a journey of investigation and discovery. Steinem reads the text herself in a straightforward and friendly, but not intimate, presentation which is so easy to listen to it invites repetition--thus ensuring the painless relearning of the lessons of the book. It's difficult to tell from the reading that this audiobook is abridged; each section can stand alone. Nonetheless, the listener wished the book were unabridged. Steinem left me wanting to learn more.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Dove Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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