Literary Fiction Audiobooks | Literature

Chickpeas to Cook and Other Stories Audiobook

"Chickpeas to Cook is the story of the woman of the tribe, women from some of the smallest of communities, often no more than a few hundred families in Singapore. How do these women live, think, breathe? What does the Dawoodi Bohra woman answer, for instance, when she’s asked if her daughter will don the ridah after marriage? When does the Sikh woman decide it’s time to come out of her brother’s shadow and live for herself? What does the Eurasian woman do when her DNA report arrives and it doesn’t quite tally with what her parents told her? What does the Zoroastrian woman tell the author about bridges and confluences while she helps her navigate a difficult period of introspection?Yes, it’s a world of dwindling walls, a veritable house of mirrors where reflections bounce off each other into infinitude, yet each appears more familiar than the last. It’s about ordinary women living ordinary lives, taking ordinary decisions, made extraordinary only by the love, empathy and fortitude they invest in it. But beware! For under the haunting haze lies magic – a woman’s communion with herself, with the truths of the universe. And when the individual stories are sown together, it transforms yet again, into a connected journey of intimate understanding."

Nilanjana Sengupta (Author), Anita Dhawan Mehrotra (Narrator)

Audiobook

What Was Lost

"Reminiscent of Hello Beautiful and The Lying Life of Adults, this powerful narrative delves into social changes from 1970 to 2000 and captures a woman’s journey in a pre-#MeToo era via the tale of a mother who returns to her hometown to face the perpetrator of her childhood abuse. When a girl feels complicit in her own abuse, how does that thwart the adult woman? Welling to the surface are memories of a past Marti Farrell tried to bury. The catalyst is her teenage daughter, Tess, whose awakening sexuality is causing Marti an acute unease. Marti makes an impulsive decision to return to the small Vermont town she ran away from thirty years earlier, an unwitting and unwilling Tess towed along for the journey, further escalating tension between them. Seeking both forgiveness for lies told, and revenge for secrets held, Marti has a plan. But it all goes awry as she learns the full impact her deception has had on other people’s lives. There’s no more burying the past: Marti has to confront it to release its clutches. What Was Lost shifts from the 1960’s to 2000 exploring the myriad ways people felt “othered”, and a young girl’s limited options in times before language such as “me, too” helped give voice to these all-too-common occurrences."

Melissa Connelly (Author), Marnye Young (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - Kalk: Roman

"Kalk, Mitte fünfzig und beflissener Mitarbeiter in einem Elektrofachgeschäft, muss raus. Der Lethargie des Alltags entfliehen, durchatmen und die Seele baumeln lassen. In Kijkduin, jenem Ort in den Niederlanden, an dem er schon als Kind mit seinen Eltern die Urlaube verbrachte, scheint Kalk Erholung zu finden. Als er ein Kind vor dem Ertrinken rettet, erwacht in ihm sein längst vergessenes Selbstbewusstsein und aus dem Antihelden wird ein Held. Er wächst über sich hinaus, geht an seine Grenzen und erfindet sich neu. Doch schnell verliert sich Kalk in der Fülle der Möglichkeiten, die sein gesteigertes Ego mit sich bringt, sein neues Ich entgleitet ihm und er droht sogleich alles zu verspielen. Letztlich holt ihn nicht nur die eigene Vergangenheit ein, sondern er lädt auch eine Schuld auf sich, die sich nicht einfach mit dem nächsten Bier in der Strandbar wegspülen lässt. Eine bitterböse Gesellschaftsstudie und ein Psychogramm des in die Enge getriebenen alten weißen Mannes."

Dirk Bernemann (Author), Steffen Rössler (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Testament of Mary

"Beautifully brought to life by three-time Academy Award-winner Meryl Streep. Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, Colm Toibin's The Testament of Mary is the moving story of one of the most famous mothers in history, the Virgin Mary. Years after her son's crucifixion, Mary finds herself alone, fearful, while attempting to reconstruct the events leading to her son's cruel death. With no interest in collaborating with the authors of the Gospel and during a time fraught with upheaval and transition, she tries to tell the truth, revealing herself as a figure of towering moral integrity, and a historical woman portrayed in all her humanity. ' beautiful and daring . . . it takes its power from the surprises of its language, its almost shocking characterization, its austere refusal of consolation.' - Mary Gordon, The New York Times Book Review 'The Testament of Mary is sort of an ideal audiobook…. Streep's voice is familiar to generations of moviegoers, but its beauty as an instrument can be appreciated in this context as it often cannot be in films…. The result: simplicity, honesty, a clarity that draws us into the emotional landscape of the book through the beauty of the writing' - Charles Isherwood, The New York Times Book Review"

Colm Tóibín (Author), Meryl Streep (Narrator)

Audiobook

Nora Webster

"Shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award and the 2015 Folio Prize Read by actress Niamh Cusack 1960s Ireland. Nora Webster, a widow from a small town, is trying to piece her life back together while caring for her four children after the death of her husband. In a close community where everyone knows your business, Nora is trying to emerge from her own sorrow in private whilst blind to the suffering of her young sons. And yet there are moments when hope might emerge again. Through music and friendship she might find a path to reinvention. In Colm Tóibín's classic novel, the author has created one of the most unforgettable protagonists in modern literature. A fine companion piece to his acclaimed novel, Brooklyn . . . Mixing irony and nostalgia in its portrayal of a provincial Irish town. Subtle and enthralling - Sunday Times, Books of the Year Tóibín's measured prose and close attention to emotional nuance is shown at its best here - Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year This is his best yet. The ache of a widow's grief is rendered with such an unadorned intensity that you might not think the book could be entertaining too, but it is - Spectator, Books of the Year A clear-sighted yet sympathetic portrait of a woman destabilised by grief - Financial Times, Books of the Year"

Colm Tóibín (Author), Niamh Cusack (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - El último show del elegante Joan

"«Luis Humberto Crosthwaite hace en cada relato una reflexión sobre el cuento como la más exigente de las artes marciales.» -Martín Solares El último show del Elegante Joan da título a una colección de cuentos donde el hilo conductor es la poesía, la música y la literatura. Un ejercicio de metapoesía, metaficción que aborda, desde el humor, la autorreferencia y los mecanismos propios de la escritura. Inicia con una carta de protesta, en donde los personajes del libro se quejan por haber sido maltratados por el escritor. En sus páginas desfilan poetas shaolines dispuestos a batirse a duelo; una editora panameña decidida a publicar la novela que revolucionará la literatura mundial; un joven montacarguista que por un día se transforma en compositor de corridos; el mejor y más amoroso imitador de Joan Sebastian; personajes literarios que son reclutados por una agencia de colocación para participar en una novela. Al final, un personaje se revela y reta al autor a terminar el libro sin él. Con fino humor y desparpajo, Luis Humberto Crosthwaite nos presenta su trabajo más maduro e introspectivo. A la vez, nos recuerda, en cada relato, que la literatura, como oficio y como arte, no tiene que ser ni solemne ni aburrida."

Luis Humberto Crosthwaite (Author), Jaime Collepardo (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - La isla de la Mujer Dormida

"LA NUEVA NOVELA DE ARTURO PÉREZ-REVERTE Una novela de mar, amor y aventuras en el Egeo durante los años de la Guerra Civil española. Buscaba la boca del hombre con la suya, húmeda de sal. -¿Tienes frío? -preguntó él. -No, no Tengo miedo. -¿A qué? -A cuando te hayas ido y esto se borre de mi memoria. Presionó contra él su cuerpo goteante; y Jordán, mojada la ropa, la acogió entre los brazos estrechándola muy fuerte. -Maldito seas, capitán Mihalis -susurró ella de pronto. Tardó él un momento en comprender. -Sí -dijo al fin. Alzó el rostro para contemplar la bóveda de estrellas, que parecía haber descendido para instalarse en torno a los dos y su abrazo, envolviéndolos hasta el final de los tiempos. Como si estuvieran solos en la última noche del mundo. Abril de 1937. Mientras en España transcurre la guerra civil, el marino mercante Miguel Jordán Kyriazis es enviado por el bando sublevado para atacar de modo clandestino el tráfico naval que desde la Unión Soviética transporta ayuda militar para la República. En la base de operaciones, una pequeña isla del mar Egeo, la vida del corsario español se cruzará en turbio triángulo con la de los propietarios, el barón Katelios y su esposa: una seductora mujer madura que busca, con fría desesperación, el modo de escapar a su destino. La crítica ha dicho: «Obra maestra. [...] En cada obra del género Pérez-Reverte (podría decir que su estilo literario ha creado un género que únicamente él puede escribir) impone sutiles variaciones en que se juega mucho. [Sin embargo], nunca llegó tan hondo en el dibujo del fin del amor ni alcanzó tan soberbias frases». José María Pozuelo Yvancos, ABC «Una emocionantísima novela de aventuras, amor y guerra». Jacinto Antón, El País «Una auténtica historia de corsarios modernos, donde lo bueno y lo malo es relativo, que contiene todos los ingredientes propios de la aventura». Javier Ors, La Razón «Una novela honda y vibrante donde se solapan vericuetos poco conocidos de nuestra Guerra Civil, la amarga historia de un amor imposible y las más complejas profundidades del alma humana». Andrés Seoane, El Mundo - La Lectura «Una obra maestra». ABC Cultural «Los nuevos puertos que los lectores van tocando en su viaje por el Territorio Reverte siguen estando llenos de una mezcla de sabores conocidos (y esperados) y sorpresas inéditas». Zenda «La isla de la mujer dormida avanza entre pasajes de acción y remansos reflexivos. Las parcas descripciones se atienen a una impresionista notación de colores y olores. Creativas imágenes paisajistas croman el relato. Nunca afloja el suspense. Arturo Pérez-Reverte maneja con sabiduría técnica e intuición artística estos clásicos recursos narrativos para ofrecer una mirada penetrante y exenta de todo moralismo sobre la compleja condición humana». Santos Sanz Villanueva, El Cultural «Volvemos a la aventura, la acción, la guerra, los héroes y los villanos. De nuevo, funciona: ritmo impecable, notable intuición para mostrar los detalles más sugerentes, personajes atractivos». Ángel Peña, The Objective «Un duro relato de mar. […] Una narración donde salen a la luz asuntos esenciales». Irene Adler, La Región Sobre el autor: «Me gusta Pérez-Reverte, me recuerda a Dumas y Salgari». Umberto Eco «Pérez-Reverte sabe cómo retener al lector a cada vuelta de página». The New York Times Book Review"

Arturo Pérez-Reverte (Author), Víctor Clavijo (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mama Said: Stories

"The linked stories in Mama Said are set in Louisville, Kentucky, a city with a rich history steeped in tobacco, bourbon, and gambling, indulgences that can quickly become gripping and destructive vices. Set amid the tail end of the crack epidemic and the rise of the opioid crisis, Mama Said evokes Black family life in all its complexity, following JayLynn, along with her cousins Zaria and Angel, as they come of age struggling against their mothers' drug addictions. JayLynn heads to college intent on gaining distance from her depressed mother, only to learn that her mother's illness has reached a terrifying peak. She fears the chaos and instability of her extended family will prove too much for her boyfriend, whose idyllic family feels worlds, not miles, apart from her own. When bats invade Zaria's new home, she is forced to determine how much she is willing to sacrifice to be a good mother. Angel rebels on Derby night, risking her safety to connect with her absent mother and the wild ways that consumed her. Mama Said separates from stereotypes of Black families, presenting instead the joy, humor, and love that coexist with the trauma of drug abuse within communities. Kristen Gentry's stories showcase the wide-reaching repercussions of addiction and the ties that forever bind daughters to their mothers, flaws and all."

Kristen Gentry (Author), Carmen Jewel Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Vida animal

"Una historia íntima sobre las vacilaciones de la adultez y el desgaste que el tiempo le imprime a las relaciones humanas. Tras un tiempo sin verse, cuatro amigas se reencuentran en una casa de campo en Chosica para la despedida de soltera de una de ellas. El entusiasmo inicial viene acompañado de recuerdos y confidencias que pronto tensan el ambiente. Al intercambiar las dudas sobre su rol de parejas, madres e hijas, la reunión se transforma en un reflejo de sí mismas, de sus vínculos agrietados; se preguntan entonces qué las mantiene unidas. La evocación de su niñez y adolescencia permite contrastar el ayer y el ahora de mujeres que experimentan las vacilaciones de una adultez aún inexperta y el desgaste que el tiempo les imprime a las relaciones humanas, así como la dura carga de los secretos que arrastran. Porque acaso la amistad sin proximidad, como dice la narradora de esta historia, es solo 'un vehículo para honrar el pasado'. Por medio de una prosa depurada e introspectiva, María José Caro reconstruye en Vida animal el acotado perímetro urbano de una juventud limeña en el umbral de un nuevo siglo. Una generación que lleva sobre sí el pasado errático de sus padres y la inquietud ante un presente de responsabilidades e incertidumbres aún por definirse."

María José Caro (Author), Vanessa Robbiano (Narrator)

Audiobook

Three Eight One

"In January 2314, Rowena Savalas—a curator of the vast archive of the twenty-first century's primitive internet—stumbles upon a story posted in the summer of 2024. She's quickly drawn into the mystery of the text: Is it autobiography, fantasy, or fraud? What's the significance of the recurring number 381? In the story, the protagonist Fairly walks the Horned Road—a quest undertaken by youngsters in her village when they come of age. She is followed by the 'breathing man,' a looming presence, dogging her heels every step of the way. Everything she was taught about her world is overturned. Following Fairly's quest, Rowena comes to question her own choices, and a predictable life of curation becomes one of exploration, adventure, and love. As both women's stories draw to a close, she realizes it doesn't matter whether the story is true or not: as with the quest itself, it's the journey that matters."

Aliya Whiteley (Author), Justine Eyre (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Lifted Veil

"The Lifted Veil by George Eliot is a novella that delves into themes of clairvoyance, isolation, and the darker aspects of human nature. The story is narrated by Latimer, who is both introspective and troubled, revealing his experiences as he grapples with his unusual abilities and the consequences they bring.Latimer begins his narrative as he anticipates his impending death, using his remaining time to recount his life and the peculiar powers he possesses. From a young age, he experiences precognitive visions and a form of telepathy that allows him to glimpse into the thoughts and emotions of others. Initially, he finds some pleasure in these abilities; however, they soon become a source of torment as he discovers the often grim realities of those around him.The plot thickens as Latimer becomes infatuated with Bertha Grant, his brother Alfred's fiancée. His obsession grows when he realizes that her mind remains largely inaccessible to him."

George Eliot (Author), Laura Sears (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Blackjack Bargainer

"Set in the rugged landscape of the American West, The Blackjack Bargainer is a witty and gripping tale by master storyteller O. Henry. The story revolves around an unexpected bargain made over a game of blackjack, where the stakes are higher than anyone realizes. Known for his surprise endings and memorable characters, O. Henry brings the spirit of the frontier to life in this tale of cunning, luck, and fate. Narrated by Shaun Michael Gray, this audiobook immerses listeners in a world of outlaws, saloons, and high-stakes games, delivering both humor and suspense in equal measure. Fans of Westerns and classic literature alike will enjoy this thrilling ride through the Old West."

O. Henry (Author), Shaun Michael Gray (Narrator)

Audiobook

Literary Fiction Audiobooks in Literature