Peter Ganim's resonant and melodious voice is attuned to this melancholy audiobook. Observation and imagery, rather than a tightly knit plot, propel the novel. Ganim's deliberate pace and reasoned tone suit the novel's themes--love after a tragic death and the challenge of living authentically during dark political times. He captures the angst of protagonist Christopher Bell. Other characters include Bell's former love, who was recently killed, and his new romantic interest, a displaced Venezuelan journalist he meets accidentally. Mysteries haunt this story, which takes place in the violence-filled U.S. of 2017. The racist march in Charlottesville, mass shootings, and the harsh justice meted out to a Black man frame this work.
Pub Date: April 26, 2022
Duration: 6 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593612477
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In this fascinating coming-of-age portrait, Thomas Black Bull's journey from the child, Bear's Brother, to the fearsome rodeo rider, Killer Tom Black, is painted with compassion and insight. Forced to learn the White Man's ways, Tom reaches adulthood consumed by rage. Read with great vigor by Norman Dietz, the recording bursts with the energy of rodeo circuit and transports the listener to the southwest. The accurate portrayal of Tom's Ute ancestry and way of life, the sorrow and frustration of losing his heritage, and his angry retaliation at the world make this an excellent listening choice for adults and teenagers. It would also be a wonderful addition to high school units on the Native American experience.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
George S. Irving adopts Patrick McManus's characters with gusto. Sit back and listen to yarn after yarn. Irving relishes each story, whether it's fishing stories, such as "Claw of the Sea-Puss" or "To Filet or Not to Filet," or the escapades with McManus's wary but vulnerable neighbors. Irving has the jocular chuckle down pat, and the low comedy satire comes off without a hitch. Listeners can imagine Irving tipping back a chair at the country store swapping lies with cronies and entertaining any comers with these hilarious tales. His repertoire of more than eight collections of McManus stories encourages this kind of ownership!
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: DH Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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