Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Betty
- The International Bestseller
- Narrated by: Dale Dickey
- Length: 17 hrs and 36 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Buy Now for £16.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
'A girl comes of age against the knife.'
So begins the story of Betty Carpenter.
Born in a bathtub in 1954 to a Cherokee father and white mother, Betty is the sixth of eight siblings. The world they inhabit is one of poverty and violence - both from outside the family and also, devastatingly, from within. When her family's darkest secrets are brought to light, Betty has no choice but to reckon with the brutal history hiding in the hills, as well as the heart-wrenching cruelties and incredible characters she encounters in her rural town of Breathed, Ohio.
Despite the hardship she faces, Betty is resilient. Her curiosity about the natural world, her fierce love for her sisters and her father's brilliant stories are kindling for the fire of her own imagination and in the face of all she bears witness to, Betty discovers an escape: she begins to write.
A heartbreaking yet magical story, Betty is a punch-in-the-gut of a novel - full of the crushing cruelty of human nature and the redemptive power of words.
Critic reviews
"Not a story you will soon forget." (Karen Joy Fowler, author of Man Booker Prize finalist We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves)
More from the same
Author
Narrator
What listeners say about Betty
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- marina fertelli
- 04-08-21
Feeling depressed
Well I'm feeling miserable and depressed now.
It is beautifully written but so sad! I liked the relationship of Betty and her dad, and between some of her siblings.. But the cruelty and devastation within the family was unbelievable!
This book was packed with wisdom, myths, believes and traditions of Cherokee people. It left me with mixed emotions. I need something happy and cheery to read now to shake "Betty" vibes off 4/5 stars
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicola Belfrage
- 10-12-21
Outstanding narration - best I've ever heard
The narrator is utterly extraordinary. Her ability to give a different vocal character to each person is unsurpassed in my opinion. I am never usually awe struck, but I would love to meet her and thank her for her stupendous performance. The story is harrowing. But there is beauty and strength of the human spirit. Some very upsetting subjects are handled well - all read with utter sensitivity that draws you in to the story of the glorious Betty. It serves to remind us that life can be so harsh, so painful, but that there are individuals who bring hope and compassion in spite of it all. Betty's father is one such man. I challenge anyone not to love him!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Emma
- 11-06-21
Wow!
One of those books that you come across, that makes you go wow! when finished. Tissues at the ready, because this one’s gonna make you cry. Masterfully written and what an audio performance!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cory Sullivan
- 07-04-21
An incredible story and amazing narrator
I adored this audiobook. Although the subject matter was hard to listen to at times, it was so beautifully written. Betty is definitely in my top 5 books. Thank you to Tiffany McDaniels for telling the story and Dale Dicky for bringing it to life
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Belinda
- 21-03-24
Beautiful story not to be missed
Beautifully written true story, full of wonderful phrases and family connections. Explores many topics which keeps
You captivated and engrossed in the book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chris N.
- 17-03-24
"Terrible" in the true sense of the word.
Luckily, Dale Dickey's artful narration is able to do justice to this tragic uplifting masterpiece.
p.s. I would echo other reviewers caution regarding listeners/readers who may have trauma around some of the subject matter. The brilliance of the writing that evokes so much of our praise might be unsettling for some(?).
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 07-02-24
Amazingly devastating
Such an amazing book. I felt such an insane mess of emotions from start to finish the whole way thru, I binged it all in a day without stopping. Choking on tears trying to work and feeling every emotion described. Such a fantastic book and amazing narration from Dale
10/10
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- calabrone
- 25-01-24
Outstanding Achievement
I’d been listening to lots of thrillers and distopian books and I thought I should try something else. This is a very good read which engages you from the very beginning but as Betty’s story unfolds it becomes very dark dealing with child sex abuse and incense. The character of Betty’s father is tested on many occasions as he deals with poverty, racism and his wife’s breakdown but he manages to steer a course for himself and his family which strengthens Betty and equips her for the hardships and challenges to come.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mrs. Ir Wilson
- 08-01-24
Unique story and writing. oh and narration!!
Nothing to dislike. But warning to listeners to brace themselves because the truths are quite difficult.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- S. Bale
- 08-11-23
What a story!
Sometimes hard to listen to, heartbreaking and beautiful. The narrator is INCREDIBLE! Definitely recommend giving this one a listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!