A superb cast of four narrators delivers this honest, angst-ridden, sometimes humorous portrait of one family's life. Barb and John, married for 50 years, hide secrets and resentments. Juliet, a successful architect, is her mother's perfect child. Sadie, an artist/teacher living in New York City, is the apple of her father's eye. Then, John has a massive stroke, and the family's perfect facade collapses. Xe Sands bristles as smart-alecky Sadie, who uproots her life to care for her father. Laurel Merlington's Barb is angry and sharp-tongued, contemplating life as a caregiver for a man she no longer loves. Amy Rubinate is convincing as Juliet, who is living "the perfect life" yet suffers from panic attacks. Graham Winton is spot-on portraying John, who is confined to his mind and trying desperately to remember. Riveting listening.
Pub Date: 2020
Duration: 13 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501968563
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Narrated by an ensemble cast, this audiobook explores the lives, successes, failures, and frailties of a half-dozen friends from the early 2000s to 2024. The novel's narrators are all talented and capture the millennial characters' struggles well. Jill Paice performs Mia, a writer who is the only single person in the group, with fine tempo and pacing while conveying her angsty tone. Santino Fontana is equally impressive as the brilliant Marco, and Christian Barillas nails the complex alcoholic Richie. The stories unfold during a series of parties, events, and celebrations (New Year's, wedding, birthday, Halloween, funeral) that reveal the characters' issues and relationships over their two decades since graduating from Penn. A meaningful look at millennial lifestyles and a worthwhile listen.
Pub Date: 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797194356
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Deepa Samuel's narration brings steadiness and emotional clarity to this story of the longstanding friendship between Ruchi and Deepa, who are shaped by class, migration, and unspoken longing. Samuel softly portrays the girls' intimate friendship during their Indian school days. Samuel's voice gradually deepens as the narrative moves into adulthood and the pressures of marriage, motherhood, and resettlement in suburban Connecticut. Samuel's pacing allows the evolving tension between the women to surface naturally, especially as jealousy, obligation, and affection collide across decades. Subtle tonal adjustments distinguish private interior moments from scenes of family and community life. Samuel's attentive performance supports the novel's exploration of devotion, distance, consequence, and friendship.
Pub Date: 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781639737871
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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