Scornful of the American way of life, particularly television, the educational system, fast foods, and pollution, Allie Fox gathers his wife and four children and spirits them away from their home in Massachusetts to build a “better life” in the jungles of Honduras. Narrator David Aaron Baker sounds precisely like a teenage boy who is observing the inexplicable behaviors of his father: careful to keep his censure to himself but wishing only to be ordinary. At first, things in their jungle haven go quite well, but Allie is incapable of compromise. When events take a disastrous turn, Charlie watches his father’s megalomania turn to paranoia. Baker maintains the boy’s innocence as he searches for reasons to continue his admiration of this difficult, delusional man. A must-listen.
Pub Date: March 1, 2011
Duration: 16 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781449839680
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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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