In four short episodes, Steinbeck provides snapshots of American life in the West in the early twentieth century. Narrator Frank Muller’s voice is as tough as the way of life depicted. The connected stories feature a 10-year-old boy named Jody, who lives on a California ranch in a time when parents were called “Sir” and “Ma’am” and their word was law. Muller perfectly conveys the dramas of life on the ranch, from Jody’s excitement at being given a pony to the complexity of emotions he feels as he learns the hard lessons of life and death so prevalent in the stories. Muller’s voice adds an extra edge that makes Jody’s harsh coming-of-age experiences live on in today’s world.
Pub Date: June 29, 2011
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781101530962
Publisher: Penguin Audio
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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