Why is a Scottish actress narrating the history of a 1600s portrait of a British crown prince by a Spanish painter? In fact, Scotland is the chief intersection in this tangled story of a masterpiece lost, found, and lost again—a story that is part biography, part art history, and part personal memoir. Siobhan Redmond is a narrator of considerable subtlety and expressiveness, and a fine complement to Laura Cumming’s own considerable powers of description and evocation. This is one of those rare art histories best enjoyed through the eyes of the imagination, and without illustrations at hand. Soon enough you’ll want to look up Velazquez’s paintings—which, however new or familiar, will come to you now fresh and alive. The story reaches an unsatisfactory conclusion, but Redmond’s supple delivery is satisfaction enough.
Pub Date: April 12, 2016
Duration: 10 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781508222927
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
James Michener tells the real stories behind the man and his books. The recording is read with skill and consistency although the reader does little to enhance the robust, larger-than-life incidents related in the book. Due to the first-person narrative format, there is no opportunity for the narrator to change his voice. This makes some chapters monotonous as they go on and on in the typical Michener style. The listener may also become confused because the stories are not told chronologically. This is not a great choice for the audio format, but Michener fans may stick with it to the end.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In a quest for a sense of inner contentment and self-worth, Gloria Steinem brings the reader on a journey of investigation and discovery. Steinem reads the text herself in a straightforward and friendly, but not intimate, presentation which is so easy to listen to it invites repetition--thus ensuring the painless relearning of the lessons of the book. It's difficult to tell from the reading that this audiobook is abridged; each section can stand alone. Nonetheless, the listener wished the book were unabridged. Steinem left me wanting to learn more.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Dove Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
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
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
