When Carlotta Mercedes is paroled after 20 years and four parole board rejections, she finally gets to live her life as the woman she is instead of the man who went to prison. Author James Hannaham narrates the third-person elements of his novel in a straightforward manner. His performance gets a boost from trans comedian Flame Monroe as Carlotta, whose ruminations, expectations, recriminations, and, most of all, sharp observations are given voice as she rediscovers Brooklyn, family, and old friends. Monroe, and through her Carlotta, is sassy, empathetic, and inspired even when dealing with memories of her time in prison, surrounded by men, and her current difficulty of needing to cash a check without an actual bank account.
Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2022
Duration: 9 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668605219
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In this fascinating coming-of-age portrait, Thomas Black Bull's journey from the child, Bear's Brother, to the fearsome rodeo rider, Killer Tom Black, is painted with compassion and insight. Forced to learn the White Man's ways, Tom reaches adulthood consumed by rage. Read with great vigor by Norman Dietz, the recording bursts with the energy of rodeo circuit and transports the listener to the southwest. The accurate portrayal of Tom's Ute ancestry and way of life, the sorrow and frustration of losing his heritage, and his angry retaliation at the world make this an excellent listening choice for adults and teenagers. It would also be a wonderful addition to high school units on the Native American experience.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
George S. Irving adopts Patrick McManus's characters with gusto. Sit back and listen to yarn after yarn. Irving relishes each story, whether it's fishing stories, such as "Claw of the Sea-Puss" or "To Filet or Not to Filet," or the escapades with McManus's wary but vulnerable neighbors. Irving has the jocular chuckle down pat, and the low comedy satire comes off without a hitch. Listeners can imagine Irving tipping back a chair at the country store swapping lies with cronies and entertaining any comers with these hilarious tales. His repertoire of more than eight collections of McManus stories encourages this kind of ownership!
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: DH Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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