Helene Hanff’s entertaining record of twenty years of letters from her New York brownstone to a book shop in post-war London is brought to life in this wonderful production. The artful use of several narrators adds dimension to these informal letters written between 1949 and 1969 after Hanff discovers that the staff of Marks & Co. Booksellers will send her the reading she wants. John Franklyn-Robbins portrays Frank Doell, a proper Englishman who sends Hanff’s first order. Barbara Rosenblat’s New York accent perfectly captures Hanff’s general crankiness and her milieu of ratty sweaters, baggy trousers and coffee cups in her messy apartment/writer’s studio on East 95th St. Through the letters the listener develops a warm affection for Hanff and the staff of Marks & Co. This is a superb production, which the listener doesn’t want to end.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1993
Duration: 2 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Reader Michael Prichard delivers a convincing rendition of Archie Goodwin, the burly right hand of the portly Nero Wolfe, world-renowned gourmand and detective. Prichard preserves the 1970s setting and 1950s origins of the story, bringing listeners a well-paced narration of murder and politics--a combination of elements that usually guarantees an exciting listen. This audio entertainment is as well formed and fragrant as one of Wolfe's hothouse orchids (the stout sleuth cultivates them by the hundreds in his town house greenhouse) as Goodwin walks us through an explosive murder investigation and political wheeling and dealing in a tough yet intelligent read.
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2006
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Partners
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This collection of eight short stories contains gentle tales of fantasy and magic--not the magic of wizards and wands, but of wishing mats and enormous cats and gifts brought by the winds. In a lovely English accent, Lizza Aiken quietly narrates these stories in which magic and good fortune often come to those who deserve it. Although her pitch changes little, she registers a range of emotions--from the sadness of a girl whose necklace of raindrops has been stolen to the joy of a child who moves from a hard life and a ramshackle trailer to a happy home amid the clouds. A NECKLACE OF RAINDROPS would make a soothing choice for a family car trip after a long day.
Ages 6+Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
Duration: 1 hr, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101915721
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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