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- Title: Cat and Jemima J: A Short Story
- Author: Jane Green
- Narrator: Jane Green
- Length: 00:31:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 05/05/2015
- Publisher: Macmillan Audio
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Contemporary Women
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It’s not every day you stumble upon a story that feels like a warm conversation with an old friend, but that’s exactly what “Cat and Jemima J: A Short Story” delivers – an audiobook experience that unfolds like a dusty road trip through the landscapes of human connection. Written and narrated by Jane Green, this short fiction piece brings together two of her beloved characters: Jemima from “Jemima J” and Cat from “Summer Secrets”. At just over 31 minutes, it’s a fleeting yet flavorful bite of contemporary women’s fiction, priced at a modest $1.99 from Macmillan Audio – or, if you’re savvy, available as a free audiobook download through certain platforms. As a travel writer who’s spent countless hours with stories humming through my earbuds, I can tell you this one lingers like the scent of Oaxacan mole simmering on a grandmother’s stove.
The story begins with a premise that feels both familiar and fresh – two women, each carrying their own baggage, crossing paths in a moment that could easily have been missed. It reminds me of a time when I was driving through the Atacama Desert in Chile, the surreal salt flats stretching out like a dreamscape, listening to “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. The narrator’s voice back then wove magic into the miles, and here, Jane Green does something similar. Her narration isn’t just a reading – it’s a performance, intimate and unhurried, like she’s leaning across a café table to share a secret. You can almost hear the clink of coffee cups, the rustle of a napkin, as Jemima and Cat navigate their brief but poignant encounter.
What strikes me most is how Green captures the quiet power of friendship – not the loud, declarative kind, but the subtle, steady sort that blooms in unexpected places. Jemima, with her history of self-doubt and transformation, meets Cat, whose own secrets simmer beneath a poised exterior. The story unfolds like a slow-cooked meal, revealing its flavors layer by layer: a dash of humor, a pinch of vulnerability, a hearty scoop of resilience. It’s contemporary women’s fiction at its best, rooted in the everyday yet elevated by Green’s keen eye for emotional detail. As someone who’s sat around firesides from Portugal to Peru, listening to locals spin tales of love and loss, I recognize that same storytelling DNA here – a focus on the human, the relatable, the real.
Green’s narration amplifies this intimacy. Her voice is warm and engaging, with a natural cadence that pulls you in. There’s a down-to-earth quality to it, a trait I’ve always admired in the best oral storytellers – like the grandmother I stayed with in Oaxaca, who could pause just long enough to let a story breathe, then dive back in with perfect timing. Green’s delivery has that same magic. You can almost feel the weight of Jemima’s hesitations, taste the salt of Cat’s unspoken regrets. The audio quality is crisp, too – no distracting background hums or overproduced effects, just a clean, clear listening experience that lets the story shine.
That said, it’s not without its limitations. At just over half an hour, “Cat and Jemima J” is more of a teaser than a full-course meal. Fans of Green’s longer works might find themselves hungry for more – more backstory, more development, more time with these women. It’s a snapshot, not a saga, and while it’s beautifully crafted, it leaves you wondering what might have been if the road stretched a little farther. The brevity also means the characters’ arcs feel condensed; there’s depth, but it’s glimpsed rather than fully explored. For a traveler like me, used to sprawling narratives that mirror long journeys, this felt like a quick detour rather than a deep dive.
Still, there’s something to be said for a story that knows its lane and stays in it. Compared to other short-form audiobooks – like, say, Brené Brown’s “Daring Greatly”, which I’ve listened to while hiking the Andes – this one trades academic heft for emotional warmth. Where Brown’s narration is deliberate and professorial, Green’s is conversational, almost confessional. It’s less about teaching a lesson and more about sharing a moment, which suits the genre perfectly. If you’ve enjoyed Green’s full-length novels, this is a delightful appetizer; if you’re new to her work, it’s an accessible entry point.
For me, this audiobook sparked a memory of a night in Lisbon, sitting in a tiny fado bar where a singer’s voice – raw and unpolished – cut through the chatter. The best narrators, like Green, have that gift: they make you feel like the story is yours, like you’re part of it. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary women’s fiction, who craves a quick escape with characters who feel like friends you’ve just met but somehow already know. It’s perfect for a short commute, a quiet evening, or – if you’re like me – a dusty drive through nowhere with nothing but the road and a good tale for company.
The fact that you can snag this as a free audiobook download? That’s just the cherry on top. It’s a small gift from Green to her fans, a chance to revisit Jemima and Cat without cracking open a wallet or a hardcover. The listening experience is seamless, the story sticks with you, and the price – or lack thereof – makes it an easy yes. So, grab your earbuds, find a cozy spot, and let Jane Green take you on this little journey. You won’t regret it.
Until the next story finds us, amigos,
Marcus Rivera
