The Sweet Relief of Missing Children by Sarah Braunstein, narrated by Xe Sands
Published in audio by Dreamscape Media, published in print by W.W. Norton & Co
Synopsis:
Leonora is a good, proper girl, with a good, proper family. Even so, even though she knows exactly what to do when presented with a stranger approaching, she disappears. Vanishes, without a trace. She is not the only one, either. Leonora’s story and the stories of two who go missing willingly – Judith and Paul – grow increasingly intertwined as characters grapple with issues of family, parenthood, sex, and personal reinvention.
Thoughts on the story:
This was decidedly not an easy story to follow. Characters enter and exit with great frequency at the beginning and no particular indication of when they will return. However, for the reader who perseveres will be rewarded by a beautiful book with increasingly meaningful connections. The way that the characters interacted at different points in their individual timelines was fascinating and superbly crafted.
Thoughts on the audio production:
Xe Sands narration was a perfect match for this potentially difficult-to-follow text. For my full thoughts on the audio, please see my review for Audiofile Magazine.
Overall:
This is definitely a challenge. Books that jump around in time and place – and then again between characters – can be even more difficult in audio than in print, but this one is worth a listen for the adventurous, because it is simply – albeit occasionally disturbingly – lovely.
Buy this book from:
Powells: Audio/Print*
Indiebound: Audio/Print*
I’m launching a brand-new meme every Friday! I encourage you to review any audiobooks you review on Fridays and include the link here. If you have reviewed an audiobook earlier in the week, please feel free to link that review as well. Thanks to Pam for creating the button.
Source: Audiofile Magazine.* These links are all affiliate links. If you buy your book here I’ll make a very small amount of money that goes towards hosting, giveaways, etc.
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I think if I can listen to Goon Squad and come out on the other side fulfilled, I can do anything! You do have to pay more attention with these types of audios though. No audio reviews this week. I am now getting into my Poland reading, which provided very little earbud time…
personally, I find difficult to follow books even more difficult to follow on audio..so that sort of decides against this one for me.
Hmmm, I’ve recently been having more times where I’ve been thinking that maybe audio wasn’t the best choice for me. I wonder if this would fall into that category.
Still, it sounds intriguing– maybe if I’m looking for a challenge, or for a book club suggestion…
You did great with THE CITY AND THE CITY, so I think you could handle it fine. It is tough initially, but eventually you can drift along with Xe’s narration.
I am about half way through this audiobook. There is so much heartbreak and depravity in it that I’m having a harder time pushing through. I do think Xe Sands does a wonderful job narrating this book. I do plan on finishing it, especially if it will be rewarding at the end.
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