A cast of memorable Southern women--six generations--their loves, mistakes and struggles--makes up this entertaining novel, superbly read by the author. West's nuances of dialect are authentic, and she fully creates each character vocally, expressing the full emotional range without ever going too far. In a feat unusual for an author/narrator, she makes it hard to imagine anyone else reading the story better. Beginning in the Depression with Gussie and a deep family secret, the story moves through the decades, developing stories of Gussie's daughters and their children, as well as that of Queenie, the young black woman who comes to work for Gussie in the '30s and becomes part of the saga. West's skill at creating fully believable characters (despite the dramatic events in their lives) makes this a rich and robust novel, wonderfully performed.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2000
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Reader Michael Prichard delivers a convincing rendition of Archie Goodwin, the burly right hand of the portly Nero Wolfe, world-renowned gourmand and detective. Prichard preserves the 1970s setting and 1950s origins of the story, bringing listeners a well-paced narration of murder and politics--a combination of elements that usually guarantees an exciting listen. This audio entertainment is as well formed and fragrant as one of Wolfe's hothouse orchids (the stout sleuth cultivates them by the hundreds in his town house greenhouse) as Goodwin walks us through an explosive murder investigation and political wheeling and dealing in a tough yet intelligent read.
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2006
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Partners
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This collection of eight short stories contains gentle tales of fantasy and magic--not the magic of wizards and wands, but of wishing mats and enormous cats and gifts brought by the winds. In a lovely English accent, Lizza Aiken quietly narrates these stories in which magic and good fortune often come to those who deserve it. Although her pitch changes little, she registers a range of emotions--from the sadness of a girl whose necklace of raindrops has been stolen to the joy of a child who moves from a hard life and a ramshackle trailer to a happy home amid the clouds. A NECKLACE OF RAINDROPS would make a soothing choice for a family car trip after a long day.
Ages 6+Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
Duration: 1 hr, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101915721
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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