Madelaine Maby's even tempo and restrained approach guide listeners' attention through the meditative and poetic tone of this nature memoir by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Josephine Johnson. Originally published in 1996, the book chronicles a year on the Ohio farm that Johnson and her husband converted back to wilderness. Maby enhances Johnson's work with pacing that gives listeners time to appreciate her mix of philosophical reflection, humorous stories, observations of everything from fox kits to weather patterns, and fierce commentary on the era's racial inequality, environmental degradation, and war in Vietnam. Never upstaging the author's finely chosen words, Maby brings an engagement that the late writer herself would have brought to the audiobook.
Pub Date: July 19, 2022
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781797145990
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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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