Kate Mulgrew gives this captivating memoir by one of Russia's most celebrated authors a plaintive, intelligent, and witty delivery. The story details Petrushevskaya's arduous upbringing in war-torn Russia. She is a survivor. Her earliest years in Moscow were spent in the grand Metropol Hotel. But soon her lifestyle was diminished when her family members were deemed enemies of the state and killed. The plucky young woman emerged from years of deprivation to hard-earned success as a writer. Mulgrew delivers the Russian names and locations flawlessly and brings the author's sharp wit and vivid memories to life. This audiobook is a rewarding listening experience.
Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2017
Duration: 3 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781524755560
Publisher: Penguin 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
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