This moving audiobook is a tribute to the women of Ireland who championed reproductive rights and changed the laws of a country where all forms of birth control were prohibited in the 1970s. It's not merely a polemical piece; it's a poignant, heartwarming novel about Irish women from different backgrounds who formed deep attachments to one another and to the cause of reproductive freedom. Three talented actors bring these brave women to life. Jessica Regan portrays Saoirse, a modern woman who benefits from Ireland's new laws; Shakira Shute animates Maura, whose calm, genteel voice hides spousal abuse. Maeve Smyth portrays Bernie, who is lovable and determined. Each narrator sounds true to her character and speaks clearly in an easily comprehensible Irish brogue.
Pub Date: March 11, 2025
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781797186245
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: yesterday
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781639737871
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Heller's penchant for salt-of-the-earth characters is reflected in Kate Marcin's narration. On an Edenic homestead in Vermont, Frith, a wild girl, is living an unconventional childhood with her bohemian mother, Hayley, a former academic, and their dog, Bear. They support themselves through picking their apples in the fall and tapping their maples in the spring. Marcin balances the novel by illuminating the sense of wonder in both their narratives. She voices the young Frith's sunny naïveté and the older Frith's yearning for answers to questions that plague her. This account of the magic of childhood--while seen through rose-colored glasses--captures the listener's heart.
Pub Date: Dec. 2, 2025
Duration: 5 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217174140
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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