by Jonathan Tropper ; Read by John Shea ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 21, 2012
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
With his latest novel, Tropper gives us Drew Silver, another delightfully dysfunctional hero. Accomplished narrator John Shea slips so naturally into Silver's persona that any sense of listening to a performance is immediately dispelled. Shea's faultless comic timing allows the listener to enjoy Tropper's signature snappy dialogue and droll humor. He proves equally adept at voicing Silver's melancholy as this self-described "middle-aged mess of a man" is forced to examine the damage his freewheeling approach to life has caused. Shea's intimate portrayal captures Silver's humanity so convincingly that one can't help rooting for this beguiling loser. Carve out some time to settle back and enjoy this because once it’s started, putting it down is not an option.
Pub Date: Aug. 21, 2012
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by David Gilbert ; Read by George Newbern ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 23, 2013
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
This audiobook is initially daunting. Sixteen hours long and constructed of subtle—at times, even confusing—shifts in point of view, it may feel overwhelming in the first hour. But sticking with George Newbern’s narration and Gilbert’s prose yields great rewards. Newbern’s performance is funny, thoughtful, heartrending, and utterly engrossing. When the famous, now aging, author A.N. Dyer calls his distant sons to his side, Newbern is provided ample characters to animate, and he does so with perfect pacing and what seems like an innate understanding of the novel. He creates a rhythm that makes the changing perspectives easy to follow and Gilbert’s details accessible. & SONS is a perfect example of how a skilled narrator can make a good book even better.
Pub Date: July 23, 2013
Duration: 16 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780385359566
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Laura McBride ; Read by Joy Osmanski & Will Damron ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2017
Following multiple lives over six decades, this is a story of cultural shifts, the effects of racial prejudice, and family secrets. Joy Osmanski's narration is engaged and easy to listen to. There are times when her narration is uneven and character accents are inconsistent, but she moves the story along at an excellent pace. Will Damron capably narrates a few descriptive paragraphs at the beginning to set the scene. During the '50s, as bombs are explode in Nevada's deserts to entertain Las Vegas tourists, four sets of characters experience the destruction caused by prejudice and social upheaval in their lives. The author skillfully integrates the lives of vivid and realistic characters, bringing them to a satisfying and surprising denouement in the final chapters.
Pub Date: May 2, 2017
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781508234715
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.