Narrator James Chen transports listeners to a quiet Dallas suburb in Han's literary fiction debut. Patty and Liang Cheng came to the U.S. from China and achieved the American dream in a short time. But several misunderstandings caused by their daughter, Annabel, suddenly turn their lives upside down. Chen's voice is smooth and pleasant--his speed and rhythm jibe with the laid-back pace of the story. At some point, though, listeners may think that there's nothing happening as the conflict the immigrant family experiences unfolds ever so gradually. Be assured that persevering listeners of insightful stories are in for a treat.
Pub Date: Nov. 17, 2020
Duration: 7 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593288733
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Farr’s well-matched performance makes the complicated Rothstein family feel as real and frustrating and loving as our...
In an understated narration, Kimberly Farr delivers the many individual stories inherent in being part of a family. In chapters that are small jewels of revelation, Goodman’s careful prose spotlights the minutiae of the Rothstein family’s daily life and interactions. Farr handles each memorable moment flawlessly. She is subtle as she shows each character’s awareness of which buttons to push to elicit responses from desired targets. Listeners encounter sibling rivalries and long-held grudges, religious beliefs and inconsistencies, and ruminations on living a good life and speculations about death. Farr delivers all the opinions and philosophical musings with respect and care.
Farr’s well-matched performance makes the complicated Rothstein family feel as real and frustrating and loving as our own.Pub Date: Feb. 10, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593612750
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 9, 2026
Deepa Samuel's narration brings steadiness and emotional clarity to this story of the longstanding friendship between Ruchi and Deepa, who are shaped by class, migration, and unspoken longing. Samuel softly portrays the girls' intimate friendship during their Indian school days. Samuel's voice gradually deepens as the narrative moves into adulthood and the pressures of marriage, motherhood, and resettlement in suburban Connecticut. Samuel's pacing allows the evolving tension between the women to surface naturally, especially as jealousy, obligation, and affection collide across decades. Subtle tonal adjustments distinguish private interior moments from scenes of family and community life. Samuel's attentive performance supports the novel's exploration of devotion, distance, consequence, and friendship.
Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781639737871
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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