the setup…
Shirley Bennett is a forty-year old widow living in rural California with her two teen sons, Reid and Curtis. It’s 1970 and the Vietnam War continues, a war that claimed her husband Hal. One morning she hears her horse Phoenix, an aging Appaloosa, nicker and he’d only done that for her husband. There at the fence was a young boy who was unkempt and thin but obviously connecting with the cranky horse. Eleven-year old Ludlow Pierce was indeed in need of care, his father long gone and mother in jail, despite his brother’s best efforts. Shirley and son Curtis take him under their wings, even giving him the nickname Cash, which he quickly adopted. Thus began a relationship for life spanning five decades.
the heart of the story…
This is Shirley’s story and she takes us on her journey from a young widow to her senior years. It’s a tender saga as she manages grief, tragedy, joy and fulfillment. But at its center is her relationship with Cash Pierce, her found son and how a moment in time transformed both of them. I admired how she handled what life dealt her, the good and the more tough times.
the narration…
Eva Kaminsky is one of my most favorite narrators and she honored the character and her story. I loved the voice she gave her and how she quietly delivered the performance. Outstanding.
the bottom line…
This touched me deeply, the important moments and characters so eloquently crafted. I always know that a Hyde story will be meaningful and this follows that pattern. But, its tenderness is so lovely and the transformative relationship between Shirley and Cash is something special, providing new meaning to family.
Book Info
- Release Date: November 3, 2026
- Narrator: Eva Kaminsky
- Audio Length: 7 hours, 41 minutes
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
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