In the latest story collection by Richard Ford, men wander--often confused and uncertain--through a maze of unrealized hopes and unfulfilled ambitions. Stephen Mendel narrates with a gravelly monotone and deliberate cadence that draw the listener in--though they also cause individual stories to run together without many distinctions between the narrating characters. Where the Irish characters Ford is known for appear, Mendel bites into the appropriate accent with relish. Female voices are rare and often noticeably nasal. Listeners in the mood to get lost in contemplation and considerations of the heart at a certain age will find much to reward them here, while others may find the lack of forward momentum frustrating.
Pub Date: May 12, 2020
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062969842
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
All four narrators bring a smart edge to these stories.
Nunez's collection of short stories featuring thoughtful protagonists is well paired with a cast of four talented narrators: Hillary Huber, Rebecca Lowman, Catherine Ho, and Gabra Zackman. The stories are witty, smart, and somewhat cynical. Standout stories include “Philosophers,” drolly narrated by Huber, in which the protagonist remembers a Vietnam-era boyfriend; “Greensleeves,” in which a woman relates her thoughts to her therapist, with narrator Lowman employing an intriguing cadence and rhythm; “The Balloon,” in which the lead character remembers a lover, with narrator Zackman sounding mature, direct, and rational; and “The Naked Juror,” read by Ho, about a woman who wants to be a juror.
All four narrators bring a smart edge to these stories.Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 12 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217336777
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: July 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
Upbeat, intuitive performances bring a curious collection to life.
Narrators Sarah Welborn and Matt Godfrey fully embrace the quirkiness of this short story collection. Welborn reads the stories led by female roles with an upbeat wryness, pausing on certain words and drawing them out and making some statements into questions, as if to poke fun at the bizarre turns of plot. Matt Godfrey, on the other hand, gives a buoyant nostalgia to the male leads, boys trying to find their place in the world. The vocal energy is sometimes at odds with the stories’ darker messages, but it doesn’t make the performance any less enjoyable.
Upbeat, intuitive performances bring a curious collection to life.Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 58 mins
DD ISBN: 9781696614221
Publisher: HighBridge
Review Posted Online: yesterday
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