Audiobook Sample
Listen to the sample to experience the story.
Please wait while we verify your browser...
- Title: Leaving Time: A Novel
- Author: Jodi Picoult
- Narrator: Abigail Revasch, Kathe Mazur, Mark Deakins, Rebecca Lowman
- Length: 0.633333333
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 14-Oct
- Publisher: Random House (Audio)
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Literary Fiction, Contemporary Women, Sagas, Fiction & Literature, Literary Fiction, Contemporary Women, Sagas, Fiction & Literature, Literary Fiction, Contemporary Women, Sagas, Fiction & Literature, Literary Fiction, Contemporary Women, Sagas
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
Listening to Jodi Picoult’s *Leaving Time: A Novel* as an audiobook was a deeply immersive experience, akin to embarking on an emotional journey through uncharted terrain. Narrated by the talented quartet of Abigail Revasch, Kathe Mazur, Mark Deakins, and Rebecca Lowman, the audiobook felt less like a story being read to me and more like a symphony of voices weaving together the threads of grief, love, and mystery.
The premise of *Leaving Time* immediately intrigued me. Jenna Metcalf’s unrelenting search for her missing mother, Alice, struck a personal chord. It reminded me of my own search for answers when I lost someone dear to me. The novel’s exploration of grief, both human and animal, brought back memories of my time in the Atacama Desert in Chile. I remember driving through the vast, surreal landscape, listening to Gabriel García Márquez’s *One Hundred Years of Solitude* and marveling at how the magical realism mirrored the haunting beauty outside my window. Similarly, Picoult’s narrative, with its insights into elephant behavior and mourning rituals, echoed that sense of wonder and interconnectedness, making me pause and reflect on the shared experiences of loss across species.
Jenna’s quest is both poignant and gripping, as she enlists the help of Serenity Jones, a once-renowned psychic, and Virgil Stanhope, a disillusioned detective. The interplay between these characters is beautifully captured by the narrators, each bringing their distinct personalities to life. Abigail Revasch’s youthful earnestness as Jenna contrasts sharply with Mark Deakins’ weary pragmatism as Virgil, while Kathe Mazur lends Serenity an aura of quiet wisdom tinged with vulnerability. Rebecca Lowman’s portrayal of Alice through journal entries is particularly moving, imbuing the character with a sense of depth and complexity that feels utterly authentic.
The audiobook’s production quality is superb, with seamless transitions between narrators and a clear, balanced sound that enhances the listening experience. It reminded me of evenings spent in Oaxaca with a local family, where the grandmother would tell stories with an artistry that transcended words. Like her, the narrators of *Leaving Time* know how to use silence, pacing, and tone to draw listeners into the heart of the tale. You can almost feel the weight of Jenna’s longing, the tension of the unfolding mystery, and the profound sadness of Alice’s research on elephant grief.
Picoult’s writing is as evocative as ever, blending meticulous research with tender storytelling. Her portrayal of elephants as deeply emotional beings mirrors the human characters’ struggles, creating a poignant parallel that underscores the novel’s themes. The book also poses challenging questions about memory, truth, and the ways we cope with loss, making it as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant.
Of course, the audiobook is not without its minor flaws. At times, the pacing of the mystery felt uneven, with certain revelations coming too quickly while others were drawn out. However, these moments are few and far between, and the narrators’ skill ensures that even the slower sections remain engaging.
In comparison to similar works, such as Celeste Ng’s *Everything I Never Told You* or Lisa Genova’s *Still Alice*, *Leaving Time* stands out for its unique use of animal behavior as a lens through which to examine human emotions. It’s a novel that will appeal to fans of literary fiction, contemporary women’s stories, and sagas that delve into family dynamics and personal transformation.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this audiobook to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking narratives brought to life by exceptional narration. Whether you’re an avid listener of literary fiction or someone looking to dip your toes into the genre, *Leaving Time* offers a rich tapestry of voices and themes that will stay with you long after the final chapter.
As I reflect on my own listening experience, I’m reminded of something the grandmother in Oaxaca once said: “Stories are like bridges—they connect us to others, but they also bring us back to ourselves.” Jodi Picoult’s *Leaving Time*, as narrated by this talented cast, is one such bridge. It invites you to cross into a world of mystery and emotion, only to find yourself more deeply connected to your own humanity.
Until our next literary adventure, Marcus Rivera
Marcus Rivera
