This deeply moving family drama weaves together the lives of several generations of a Chinese family, beginning at the time of the Cultural Revolution. Katharine Chin's emotional range is particularly impressive as she seamlessly transitions among different time periods and perspectives, anchoring listeners to each moment in the story. From Yunhong, one of the star-crossed lovers at the story's start, to her great granddaughter, Emily, listeners are immersed in this rich exploration of family, identity, and resilience. Chin does a masterful job of balancing the family's tragedies and hopes. Listeners will be compelled to move through each generation's struggle to make sense of the family's persistent secrets.
Pub Date: May 7, 2024
Duration: 9 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668641156
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Patchett reminds us that love endures.
Patchett narrates her latest gem with nuance and feeling as a chance encounter at the Metropolitan Museum of Art leads Daphne to revisit her past. She and her husband are enjoying their day in the city when Jonathan notices, and then confronts, an elderly man who seems to be following them. Eddie was Daphne and her sister Leda’s beloved stepfather for barely a year before their mother banished him and he disappeared from their lives. Patchett’s delivery is smooth as Daphne reconnects with Eddie and faces the trauma that upended their lives. Her pacing and inflection express the heartfelt emotions of the most minor characters, and listeners even get to hear her sing snippets of the Yale Whiffenpoofs song.
Patchett reminds us that love endures.Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 44 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063511668
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: June 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2026
Heartwarming and enjoyable.
Narrator Kathleen McInerney transports listeners to Ireland, where two sisters, Maeve and Therese Dunagin, are brought together by their mother’s death. The sisters have inherited a portrait that could be worth millions. In need of money, they travel to Ireland to discover the truth about the painting and learn about their roots. There, Maeve meets Liam, a local whiskey distiller. The sisters meet a crotchety old woman, performed in a gravelly voice by McInerney, who has connections to their family. McInerney gives Liam a charming Irish brogue, which is a lovely contrast to the women’s American accents. Maeve and Therese start out at odds with each other but grow closer over the course of their journey, and McInerney's performance reflects this.
Heartwarming and enjoyable.Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 57 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250444721
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: May 26, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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