A fabulous book

I have only recently realised that a huge number of titles are available to me, included with my membership so, effectively, “free” so I started browsing the list. This book was among those selected by audible based on my recent purchases. Normally I am very sceptical about that method of choosing anything as I don’t want to end up reading/listening to the same sort of thing over and over again, but I was drawn to this and was not put off, as I so often am, by the narrator’s voice when I listened to the sample.
I am so pleased that I decided to listen to this! It is a wonderful, if at times harsh, story. The characters are very finely drawn and the writing is so exquisite I could clearly see, in my mind’s eye, everything that was being described as if it were a film in front of me. Well, the often say that radio has the best pictures! The narration was excellent too.
I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about this book. I imagine it was suggested because I have recently listened to “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens, which was utterly brilliant, and I would say that this book can sit right up I there alongside it.
I thoroughly recommend giving it a try.

4 people found this helpful

A decent read

A decent story covering old ground with a rather messy ending that wasn’t totally satisfying for me. The characters weren’t as rounded as they could have been and it felt a bit stereotyped in places. The ending seemed a bit messy too. I found the narration really good and enjoyed the book as a whole.

1 person found this helpful

Lots of heartbreak

A great story, well told. But so much cruelty and tragedy portrayed that it’s heartbreaking to read. An unexpected ending redeems some of the sadness. Excellent performance by Katie Schorr.

Very good listen!

Loved the narration, the eye opening descriptions and the storyline. it was a very moving story

An interesting story

The book is well written, and the characters well rounded. Rubylyn, the protagonist and narrator, is perhaps a littke too good to be true. There are moments of child abuse so if this is a trigger for you, be careful. a good, but not brilliant book.

Lovely listen

I really enjoyed this book .Delightfully read. a story of humour, hardship and life.

a bit slow

I nearly gave up on this listen, I found it confusing and boring at times. the ending turned out to be better than I had expected, so was glad I had persevered. the heavy southern American accent is also difficult to listen to, at times.

So Absorbing!

This is a lovely story, it's read beautifully and mat he's the text so well. Honestly, once you listen to one of this authors works you want to listen to them all. They take you away to live in the Kentucky mountains, they spin you into the life with smells, sounds and imagery for for poetry! Cannot get enough!!!

Just Beautiful

A beautiful novel, narrated so eloquently and bringing all the characters to life. I loved the soft Southern drawl of the accent as narrated by Katie Schorr. This is what life on a tobacco plantation must've really been like in those days. The story played like a film in my head. I could see it and feel it. The harshness, poverty, backbreaking physical field and farm work, the bigotry and blatant racism and then the endearing innocence of RubyLyn and her heart aching for someone to love her, her passion for Art and her softness of character. I really loved her character. I was totally lost on this story and it's made me want to read more by this Author.

Great read

beautifully read,evocative, hard hitting & heart rending yet atmospheric with hope & powerful emotions