Cynthia Farrell tackles the challenges of narrating the fictional biography of the divisive Malinalli, known as La Malinche in Mexico. Malinalli's peaceful and loving family life is shattered when her brother and father are murdered by the Aztec emperor Moctezuma. Malinalli then finds herself given to the conquistador Hernán Cortés and becomes his interpreter. Using her training as a priestess, Malinalli manipulates Cortés to make Moctezuma pay for his cruelty. As Malinalli leads a life of emotional turmoil, Farrell conveys anguish and sadness convincingly, evoking listeners' compassion. Farrell's strong, clear voice is ideal for portraying the smart, headstrong Malinalli who seeks revenge. Farrell narrates Spanish and Nahuatl words smoothly, adding authenticity.
Pub Date: March 11, 2025
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797185613
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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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