Winterson has told bits of her own story through her novels, such as ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT. Here she tells it straight on as a memoir that shows how her relationship with her parents, particularly her adopted mother, has shaped her. She narrates with raw but controlled emotion that puts her squarely in the midst of the events but leaves her still able to observe them with a degree of detachment. Her recounting of some of her mother’s favorite expressions, such as “ask not for whom the bell tolls,” are delivered in a tone of depressive conviction that contrasts with the overall tone of resilience and hope that is found in Winterson’s examination of her life.
Pub Date: Aug. 7, 2012
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance 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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