Robin Miles expertly delivers Vanessa Riley's novel based on Marie-Louise Christophe, wife of King Henry I of Haiti. Haiti's only Black queen, Marie-Louise was crowned in 1810 and ruled for 10 years amid political unrest and social strife. When Haiti is overthrown and Henry commits suicide, Miles re-creates Marie-Louise's move to England, depicting her difficulties and hardships, as well as her resounding triumphs. Miles's luxurious voice slips easily into various accents and characters. Her attitude is perfect for Marie-Louise, a strong, self-assured woman, fiercely protective of her daughters. Miles enlivens the posh parties, elegant balls, romances, and intrigues the Black women experience in a white, male-dominated world. As entertaining as it is informative, Miles's performance will keep listeners enthralled.
Pub Date: July 11, 2023
Duration: 17 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063271029
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ayla, one of the "others," is adopted by a clan of Neanderthal cave people. She struggles to conform to their ways, but her advanced human traits overwhelm and threaten their primitive culture in this initial installment of an immensely popular series. Although the story might benefit from abridgment, Rowena Cooper easily carries out the formidable task of enlivening the mostly silent and stereotypical characters with consistent, diverse personalities and human dimension. Through skillful phrasing and inflection, she maintains the reader's interest and suspense, especially with Ayla and her plight, throughout this rambling and imaginative story.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This lyrical, sensual novel of woman's lot in Manchu, China, is as well researched as it is well written. Authentic in tone, it's nonetheless written for Westerners by a Western expert on China. Moreover, Susan Clark performs the demanding text superbly, with only occasional signs of fatigue. For the most part she not only sustains the quaint diction and Asian atmosphere, but also, creates whole worlds with her voice. She acts the book, rather than reads it, and, in so doing, turns a pretty trifle into a stupendous beauty.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Literature
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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