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  • Betty

  • The International Bestseller
  • By: Tiffany McDaniel
  • Narrated by: Dale Dickey
  • Length: 17 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (181 ratings)
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Betty cover art

Betty

By: Tiffany McDaniel
Narrated by: Dale Dickey
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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.

©2020 Tiffany McDaniel (P)2020 Orion Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"Not a story you will soon forget." (Karen Joy Fowler, author of Man Booker Prize finalist We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves)

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What listeners say about Betty

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

"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(?).

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unique story and writing. oh and narration!!

Nothing to dislike. But warning to listeners to brace themselves because the truths are quite difficult.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

What a story!

Sometimes hard to listen to, heartbreaking and beautiful. The narrator is INCREDIBLE! Definitely recommend giving this one a listen.

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