Caribbean accents from narrators Ben Onwukwe and Vivienne Acheampong animate this compelling story inspired by the Taíno legend of Aycayia, who is cursed to exist for eternity as a mermaid. The lonely creature lives in exile for centuries until one day, brutally captured by sports fishermen near Black Conch Island, Aycayia finds herself on land again. Rescued by David, a local fisherman who plans to return her to the sea, she transforms back into a woman--with bittersweet repercussions. Onwukwe performs the third-person narration in deep, resonant tones interspersed with vivid characterizations of the colorful supporting cast. His delivery of David's journal entries adds pathos and a raw intensity that is enhanced by Acheampong's emotional bursts of Aycayia's thoughts. These are expressed in free-verse poetry.
Pub Date: July 12, 2022
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593590201
Publisher: Random House 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
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