Helen Garner's perceptive novel confronts death, dying, and the boundaries of friendship. Nicola has stage four cancer. Refusing to accept defeat, she pursues an alternative cure in Melbourne. She accepts old friend Helen's invitation to use her spare room while she gets her treatments. This is a funny, upsetting, strangely reassuring look at how far we dare test our friendships. Garner forms her characters in spare, clean prose, describing situations with sharp honesty and tender understanding. From narrator Heather Bolton's first words, Helen appears, full-blown, down-to-earth, and likable. Bolton handles Nicola's polar swings neatly, and reveals her self-centered quirkiness without losing her humanity. She keeps Helen's mounting anger trembling just beneath the surface. A bittersweet, well-told story and a truthful, intelligent performance equal fine listening.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2009
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Bolinda Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Escape on a thrilling adventure with Soneela Nankani and Andrew Eiden as they narrate this suspenseful romance. A year has passed since Simi Chopra, her assorted crew, and Jack Danger pulled off a lucrative diamond heist. Now, the Chicago Mafia boss is demanding that the jewels be returned, so Simi gets the team back together. Nankani delivers an expressive performance that emphasizes Simi's conflict between her passion for Jack and the mission. Her distinct character voices keep the listener fully immersed. Eiden's lively tone gives Jack a subtle flair and confidence that make him easy to forgive and to love.
Pub Date: Aug. 20, 2024
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593907467
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This is not a story about guns, but about blue pearls. Gerald Browne takes us to the Pacific Ocean and the world of pearl divers and natural gems and mixes in mystery, intrigue and suspense. Barry Bostwick portrays the characters in one voice, varying his intonation slightly for the Asian personalities. His reading style is very smooth, evidence of preparation and interest in the story. 18mm Blues is abridged well, collecting the important elements of the story. Unobtrusive music indicates the end of each side. Disappear into the mystery of the Far East and one of its most beautiful commodities.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1993
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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