the setup…
Twelve years ago, Kate Waithman was happily married to Patrick and they were living their best lives in New York. Suddenly he was gone, killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. It’s taken this long for her to even consider another relationship and now she’s a music therapist and just got engaged to Dan. The next morning she wakes in a strange bed and the man emerging from the shower is…Patrick! They’re in their former apartment and she has complete awareness of this alternate life. Kate also has a daughter who is partially deaf (hard of hearing). This is more than just a dream as she slips back and forth into her two “realities.” Is her husband trying to send a message? Maybe, as it leads her to the world of the foster care system and a life changing ASL (American Sign Language) class.
the heart of the story…
I never doubted that what Kate was experiencing was real, especially when the “other” reality kept leading her down paths that seemed fateful. She kept looking for meaning (as was I) and despite skeptics such as her sister and best friend, Kate never stopped searching and let herself experience wherever the clues led.
the narration…
It’s been a while since I listened to a story narrated by Madeleine Maby and I enjoyed not only her voice for Kate but her wonderful storytelling. She provided just the right tone and pacing.
the bottom line…
I love magical realism and here is a perfect example of how it should be done. This was originally published in 2014 and is being republished now with a few slight, insightful changes as it’s currently in development for a TV series adaptation. I’ll be right there watching the moment it’s released as this was something special. Kate trusted her instincts and her journey to a reawakening was fascinating.
Book Info
- Release Date: September 1, 2026 (originally published 2014)
- Narrator: Madeleine Maby
- Audio Length: 10 hours, 44 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
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