Louis McKenzie portrays indigent but hopeful Sayon Hughes as he grows up in the Caribbean-Somali area of Bristol, England. The Hughes family--large and loving--sell drugs to survive. Sayon is unforgettably rendered as he is torn between the street and his love for Shona and Elia, both flawlessly portrayed, whose friendship helps him to excel in school. As young men, Sayon and his cousin have each other's backs--and the nature of their relationship produces devastating consequences. McKenzie amplifies vibrant food and clothing, along with the prevailing desperation, making the city of Bristol an ever-present character. Emotive descriptions of Christianity and Islam, which influence Sayon's decisions, add depth. Audio is the only format in which to fully appreciate this stunning narrative.
Pub Date: May 31, 2022
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668605493
Publisher: Hachette 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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