Hearing the innermost thoughts of a misguided character can be even more unsettling than reading them on the page—especially when the narrator’s performance is so convincing. Gabra Zackman portrays the irresponsible, self-destructive character of Hannah Legare with a calm, quiet vulnerability that makes the listener think that perhaps her story is worth hearing. Hannah’s entire existence is marred by her father’s mysterious disappearance when she was a child. Hannah’s estranged husband, ex-boyfriend, mother, gay brother and his lover, and even a dog are all affected by the loss and by Hannah’s tiresome inability to cope. Zackman slips between the characters effortlessly, depicting each one with sensitivity and grace. A hopeful ending brings a sigh of relief.
Pub Date: April 12, 2010
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781607881841
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listening to Footman is like curling up with a green tea and a welcome missive.
Hanako Footman's calm voice, perfect Japanese pronunciation, and English accent are ideal for narrating this Japanese bestseller. Hatoko inherits the Tsubaki Stationery Store from her strict grandmother, who raised her and taught her the family trade of calligraphy and scribing—writing important letters for people. Like a haiku, the book brims with nature and surprises. Divided into seasons, the story is further segmented by vignettes featuring letters that customers request. Footman’s slow pace and contemplative tone reinforce Hatoko's characterization as a thoughtful assessor of people. She adopts a buoyant tone for Hatoko’s close friend, highlighting their different personalities. For customers, Footman subtly conveys character without caricature.
Listening to Footman is like curling up with a green tea and a welcome missive.Pub Date: July 7, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217338368
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 23, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026
An engaging, heartfelt performance.
Narrator Evan Sibley compellingly portrays Patrick “Kick” Kilpatrick, an Omaha, Nebraska, man stranded in the ocean during a family cruise. Whether Kick fell or jumped remains uncertain as he treads water and pieces together his final moments aboard the ship. Sibley captures Kick’s racing stream of consciousness with urgency and nuance, shifting easily among memories of his high school swim team, family conflict, and his mother’s cancer. Sibley demonstrates incredible range for the characters in Kick’s mind: a higher pitch for Kick’s precocious nephew, clipped irritation for his pompous brother-in-law, warmth for his swim coach/uncle, and distinct comic charm for hallucinated sea creatures. As Kick weakens, his repeated hope that “in the next hour someone’s going to save me” grows heartbreakingly hoarse.
An engaging, heartfelt performance.Pub Date: July 7, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 13 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668148921
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: June 23, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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