Laurel Merlington’s portrayal of Shoko, a Japanese woman who is married to an American G.I., is one excellent reason for listening to the audio version of this poignant story. Merlington’s crisp, no-nonsense rendering of the culturally displaced Shoko is utterly convincing as Shoko deals with her memories, her failing health, her conflicts with her very American daughter, Suiko (Sue), and her often-humorous, always-moving attempts to deal with the impossible advice given in a handbook for Japanese war brides (a version of which actually existed after WWII). Emily Durante offers Sue’s point of view as she travels to Japan with her 12-year-old daughter to locate her mother’s estranged brother. Durante is completely engaging as Sue discovers a sense of family and belonging. Together, Merlington and Durante make this choice listening.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2010
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ayla, one of the "others," is adopted by a clan of Neanderthal cave people. She struggles to conform to their ways, but her advanced human traits overwhelm and threaten their primitive culture in this initial installment of an immensely popular series. Although the story might benefit from abridgment, Rowena Cooper easily carries out the formidable task of enlivening the mostly silent and stereotypical characters with consistent, diverse personalities and human dimension. Through skillful phrasing and inflection, she maintains the reader's interest and suspense, especially with Ayla and her plight, throughout this rambling and imaginative story.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This lyrical, sensual novel of woman's lot in Manchu, China, is as well researched as it is well written. Authentic in tone, it's nonetheless written for Westerners by a Western expert on China. Moreover, Susan Clark performs the demanding text superbly, with only occasional signs of fatigue. For the most part she not only sustains the quaint diction and Asian atmosphere, but also, creates whole worlds with her voice. She acts the book, rather than reads it, and, in so doing, turns a pretty trifle into a stupendous beauty.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Literature
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.
