James Baldwin's story of the mid-century African-American experience is told in the first person by the character Leo Proudhammer, ably voiced here by Kevin Kenerly. Leo is, aptly for the theme of this novel, an actor, a man who makes his living pretending to be something he's not. In a series of flashbacks (and sometimes flashbacks within flashbacks), listeners meet most of the people who have been important in his life. Kenerly distinguishes them by accents, even modulating Leo's own childhood voice from that of a Harlem street kid in the earliest memories to the trained cadences of his Broadway years. Kenerly's control of accent and dialect is masterful. There are sections that could come across as rants that he turns into passages of moving emotional development.
Pub Date: 2016
Duration: 15 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781504676021
Publisher: Blackstone 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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