Birdy, born and raised a Kentucky girl, lives in tough economic times for African Americans, as well as whites. Bahni Turpin captures Birdy's turbulent experiences while growing up in the 1930s-1940s South with two sisters and a stern, resourceful Mama whose husband, a war hero, was hanged after returning home. Turpin mesmerizes listeners with her descriptions of Birdy's life with Jimmy, her sweet-talking, big-dreaming husband who moves the family from Kentucky to Chicago to Cincinnati in an effort to survive. Turpin's portrayals of the many characters in this novel are always authentic, as well as heartbreaking, heartwarming, and, at times, humorous. Turpin's sensitive performance will have listeners rooting for Birdy as she seeks a better life for her children and herself.
Pub Date: June 6, 2023
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781488227950
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In this fascinating coming-of-age portrait, Thomas Black Bull's journey from the child, Bear's Brother, to the fearsome rodeo rider, Killer Tom Black, is painted with compassion and insight. Forced to learn the White Man's ways, Tom reaches adulthood consumed by rage. Read with great vigor by Norman Dietz, the recording bursts with the energy of rodeo circuit and transports the listener to the southwest. The accurate portrayal of Tom's Ute ancestry and way of life, the sorrow and frustration of losing his heritage, and his angry retaliation at the world make this an excellent listening choice for adults and teenagers. It would also be a wonderful addition to high school units on the Native American experience.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
George S. Irving adopts Patrick McManus's characters with gusto. Sit back and listen to yarn after yarn. Irving relishes each story, whether it's fishing stories, such as "Claw of the Sea-Puss" or "To Filet or Not to Filet," or the escapades with McManus's wary but vulnerable neighbors. Irving has the jocular chuckle down pat, and the low comedy satire comes off without a hitch. Listeners can imagine Irving tipping back a chair at the country store swapping lies with cronies and entertaining any comers with these hilarious tales. His repertoire of more than eight collections of McManus stories encourages this kind of ownership!
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: DH Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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