Audiobook, Contemporary Fiction

Dreams of Falling by Karen White

Jonetta | Blue Mood Café

Lanier Larkin is a copywriter for a major marketing firm in New York having fled her roots in Georgetown, South Carolina nine years before. She’s also slightly estranged from her family, limiting her visits to annually at Christmas. But when she receives a desperate call from her grandmother, CeeCee, saying that her mother, Ivy, is missing, Larkin drops everything and returns home to the place that has so many wonderful—and hurtful—memories.

There are three narratives telling this lushly designed story of family, friendships and secrets and how they shape the people in its web. CeeCee is the woman who raised her best friend’s daughter, Ivy, after her death and was Larkin’s greatest influence. Ivy, who was seriously injured in a devastating fall, tells her story while in a coma. And, of course, Larkin, the daughter and granddaughter who is searching for answers and holds the key to unlocking secrets spanning over fifty years, as well as revelations of her own.

I loved how this story was presented with an homage to place, family and roots that are so important in Southern traditions. The three narrators were just excellent, handling transitions from 1951 to 2010 (present day) seamlessly. I always knew who was handling the story and where we were. There were a LOT of secrets and my one criticism is how long it takes for any of them to be revealed. The audiobook is much longer than the printed version because of the dramatic license taken by the narrators (it works).

This was my first book by the author and I loved her style of storytelling. I highly recommend the audio version because it takes the time to put emphasis on the relevant elements that underpin the meat of the story. It was a long journey (16 hours but I sped it up) but one that I was saddened to see end. And, it was worth the wait to learn those secrets in a most powerful ending.

Book Info

  • Release Date: June 5, 2018
  • Narrators: Shannon McManus, Cassandra Campbell & Susan Larkin
  • Audio Length: 16 hours, 30 minutes

 

 

 

 

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(I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)

Published by Jonetta | Blue Mood Café

21 thoughts on “Dreams of Falling by Karen White”

        2. Just checking to see if you had a secret source that I was unaware of lol
          I get most of mine from my library, sometimes from audible when they are running a special price.

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