Audiobook Sample

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  • Title: Holes
  • Author: Louis Sachar
  • Narrator: Kerry Beyer, Louis Sachar
  • Length: 0.192905093
  • Version: Abridged
  • Release Date: 23-Sep
  • Publisher: Listening Library (Audio)
  • Genre: Kids, Health & Family, Mystery & Fantasy, Kids, Health & Family, Mystery & Fantasy
  • ISBN13: 9.78E+12
Hello, fellow adventurers and story seekers,

There’s something timeless about a well-told story. It has the power to transport us, to make us dig (pun intended) into forgotten corners of our own lives, and to coax out truths we didn’t know we were carrying. When I listened to *Holes* by Louis Sachar, narrated by both Kerry Beyer and the author himself, I found myself swept into an unexpected excavation of my own past as much as Stanley Yelnats’s. This audiobook isn’t just a story—it’s an experience.

First, let’s talk about the story itself. *Holes* is ostensibly a children’s book, but don’t let that fool you. It tackles layered themes like generational curses, injustice, friendship, and redemption with a nuance that resonates across ages. Stanley’s journey from a falsely accused outcast to someone who breaks a family curse is the kind of tale that reminds us why storytelling matters. Sachar’s writing is clever and darkly humorous, weaving together timelines and characters with a deftness that feels effortless. The dry, cracked earth of Camp Green Lake, the desperation of its inhabitants, and the secrets buried beneath form a world so vividly drawn, you can almost feel the grit between your fingers.

Listening to this audiobook brought me back to a time when I was driving through the Atacama Desert in Chile. The barrenness of the landscape, the way the sun seemed to leech all life out of the earth, mirrored the desolation of Camp Green Lake. As I drove, I remembered thinking how the emptiness was anything but empty—it was full of stories waiting to be uncovered. Similarly, Sachar’s narrative peels back layers of his characters’ lives to reveal the heart beneath the hardship.

Now, let’s delve into the narration. Kerry Beyer’s performance is a revelation. His voice captures the dry humor of Sachar’s prose while also giving weight to the more emotional moments. Beyer has a knack for distinguishing characters through subtle shifts in tone and inflection, making it easy to follow the story even as it jumps between past and present. When Louis Sachar steps in to narrate certain parts, it’s like having the author himself sit beside you, sharing secrets that only he knows. Together, their voices blend into a seamless narrative that feels both personal and universal.

The audio production quality is impeccable. There’s a crispness to the recording that allows each word to land with precision, yet it never feels overly polished or sterile. It reminded me of evenings spent with a family in Oaxaca, where the grandmother would tell stories by the fire. Her voice had a warmth and cadence that made every tale feel alive, and this audiobook captures that same intimacy. You feel as though you’re sitting in a circle, listening to a master storyteller weave a spell.

Of course, no review would be complete without considering the book’s limitations. If there’s one critique, it’s that the nonlinear storytelling might be a bit challenging for younger listeners to follow in audio format. The shifts between timelines require close attention, and while Beyer and Sachar do a fantastic job differentiating the sections, some listeners might find themselves rewinding to catch the nuances. That said, this complexity is also what makes the story so rewarding; it’s a tale that grows with you, revealing more layers with each listen.

Compared to other audiobooks in the children’s and middle-grade genres, *Holes* stands out for its depth and originality. While many books aimed at younger audiences stick to straightforward plots and familiar tropes, Sachar takes risks. The result is a story that feels fresh, even decades after its initial publication. If you’ve enjoyed works like *Bridge to Terabithia* or *The Giver*, you’ll find *Holes* to be a kindred spirit—equally willing to explore the darker corners of the human experience while ultimately offering hope.

So, who is this audiobook for? Anyone who loves a good story. Whether you’re a parent looking to share a meaningful tale with your child, a teacher seeking a classroom read that will spark discussions, or an adult revisiting a childhood favorite, *Holes* has something to offer. It’s a story that invites you to dig deep—into the past, into yourself, and into the connections that bind us all.

As I finished the audiobook, I found myself reflecting on how storytelling is its own kind of excavation. Like Stanley uncovering the secrets of Camp Green Lake, we, too, unearth truths about ourselves through the stories we consume. And as someone who has spent years chasing stories across continents, I can tell you that the best ones—the ones like *Holes*—stay with you long after the last word is spoken.

If you’re ready to embark on this journey, I can’t recommend the audiobook enough. It’s an experience that transcends age and reminds us why we tell stories in the first place.

Until our next literary adventure, Marcus Rivera
Marcus Rivera