Bahni Turpin’s stunning narration of this audiobook at some points seems like a multivoiced performance. As a 6-year-old, Mary was jailed for killing an infant, and at 16 she’s pregnant, living in a halfway house and ending years of silence. Mary is unsure of many things, and Turpin catches every nuance. More amazing, she expresses the many layers of all the characters. For example, Mary’s mother’s false saccharine tone switches to a restrained explosion when Mary hints at the truth of the past. Turpin excels at giving dimension to even minor characters—bullying housemates, pretentious and cruel housemothers, and the lawyer who is determined to get Mary justice. Interspersed are documents from newspaper, teachers, police, and psychiatrists, which Turpin delivers in a neutral tone. From the gripping beginning to the unsettling ending, Turpin maintains the intensity of this compelling story.
(Fiction. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2017
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062660992
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
There are no easy answers here, and Ramin’s journey is worth hearing.
Ramin Abbas is a devout Muslim Canadian teenager who loves music (show tunes, specifically) and who just might have a crush on the captain of his high school’s soccer team (aka Captain Handsome). He’s struggling to reconcile these things with his faith—especially after he’s forced to join the soccer team. Narrator Vikas Adam keeps listeners close to Ramin’s perspective, delivering the full range of his emotions and conveying both the funny moments and the heartrending ones. Adam’s characterizations of Ramin’s soccer bro teammates and his sweet if mercenary younger brother, Zayn, are appealing. His accents for Ramin’s Pakistani parents and the imam of their mosque add authenticity, and every “sorry” pronounced with a Canadian accent reminds listeners of the setting.
There are no easy answers here, and Ramin’s journey is worth hearing. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668160008
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
A powerful journey toward authenticity.
Shannon Tyo’s narration fully embodies the prideful spirit of Elena Ok, a 17-year-old Korean American influencer who lives in luxury thanks to her brand and her family’s clothing business. But when the Oks lose everything, the family moves to a remote farm town and into a rundown house with no Wi-Fi or furniture. Tyo perfectly captures Elena’s misery; she’s undone not just by the lack of reception but also the feeling that she’s being left out of her family’s efforts to unite and move forward. Listeners understand Elena’s pain and feelings of loss through dialogue that sparks with sarcasm. Tyo marks Elena’s gradual understanding that true connection is with family and community, not the empty superficiality that dominated her past.
A powerful journey toward authenticity. (Fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217280834
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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