Audiobook Sample
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- Title: House We Grew Up In
- Author: Lisa Jewell
- Narrator: Karina Fernandez
- Length: 0.559722222
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 17-Sep
- Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Literary Fiction, Contemporary Women, Family Life
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
Lisa Jewell’s *House We Grew Up In*, narrated with exquisite depth by Karina Fernandez, is not just a story—it’s a journey into the tangled web of family dynamics, memory, and the haunting remnants of tragedy. As a travel writer, I often find myself drawn to stories that capture the essence of ‘home,’ because no matter how far I roam, the concept of where we come from always pulls at my heartstrings. Jewell’s novel, paired with Fernandez’s narration, offered an audiobook experience that felt intimate and universal all at once.
The Bird family, with their eccentric matriarch Lorelei at the helm, is introduced as seemingly perfect. Yet, as the story unfolds, cracks begin to appear, revealing layers of complexity that reminded me of the families I’ve encountered in my travels. Lorelei’s obsession with preserving mementos—Easter egg foils and childhood art—initially feels whimsical, but it evolves into something more poignant and unsettling. This reminded me of a family I stayed with in the Azores, where the grandmother kept every scrap of paper from her children’s school days, clinging to them like anchors in a sea of change.
Jewell’s ability to weave tragedy into the fabric of everyday life is masterful. The devastating Easter weekend that serves as the novel’s turning point is written with such raw emotion that you can almost feel the air shift in the Bird family’s home. Fernandez’s narration amplifies this emotional depth; her voice is rich and textured, capturing the fragility of Lorelei and the quiet strength of Meg with equal precision. Listening to her felt like sitting in a dimly lit room, hearing an old friend unburden their soul. It reminded me of evenings spent in Oaxaca, where storytelling was an art form, and the cadence of a voice could transport you to another world.
The themes of hoarding and isolation explored in the novel hit close to home for many listeners, I imagine. Lorelei’s descent into hoarding is not just a quirk but a manifestation of unresolved grief—a desperate attempt to hold onto a past that’s slipping away. Jewell’s exploration of this theme is empathetic and nuanced, and Fernandez’s performance adds layers of vulnerability. Her portrayal of Lorelei as both tragic and frustrating mirrors the duality we often see in those we love most.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its ability to evoke a sense of place—not just the physical space of the Bird family home, but the emotional landscapes that define it. The house becomes a character in its own right, holding secrets within its walls, much like the ruins I’ve explored in places like Petra or Machu Picchu. Every corner tells a story, every creak in the floorboards whispers a memory.
From a technical perspective, Fernandez’s pacing is impeccable. She knows when to linger on a poignant moment and when to push the narrative forward. Her ability to differentiate characters through subtle changes in tone and inflection ensures that listeners are never lost in the shifting perspectives. The audio quality is crisp, with no distracting background noise, allowing the story to take center stage.
While *House We Grew Up In* is a deeply moving experience, it’s not without its challenges. The non-linear narrative can be disorienting at times, especially in audiobook format, where flipping back to clarify a detail isn’t as simple. However, Fernandez’s skilled narration helps anchor the listener, guiding them through the labyrinth of past and present.
For fans of literary fiction that delves into family life—such as works by Ann Patchett or Celeste Ng—this audiobook is a must-listen. It’s a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with the complexities of family, grief, and the passage of time.
As I listened to this audiobook while walking along the cobbled streets of Porto, Portugal, the story seemed to echo in the narrow alleys and weathered facades of old houses. Like the Bird family home, these places held memories—some beautiful, some painful—all woven into their very existence. Jewell and Fernandez together create an experience that feels like coming home, even if home is a place you’d rather forget.
If you’re ready to embark on a journey through the emotional landscapes of a family’s past, I wholeheartedly recommend *House We Grew Up In*. And if you’ve never experienced the transformative power of an audiobook, let Fernandez’s voice be your guide.
Wishing you journeys both inward and outward, Marcus Rivera
Marcus Rivera
