Calling Me Home cover art

Calling Me Home

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Calling Me Home

By: Julie Kibler
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin, Lorna Raver
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About this listen

A stunning, moving tale of forbidden love in segregated 1930s Kentucky, perfect for fans of The Help.

Love doesn't play by the rules… Shalerville, Kentucky, 1939. A world where black maids and handymen are trusted to raise white children and tend to white houses, but from which they are banished after dark. Sixteen-year-old Isabelle McAllister, born into wealth and privilege, finds her ordered life turned upside down when she becomes attracted to Robert, the ambitious black son of her family’s housekeeper. Before long Isabelle and Robert are crossing extraordinary, dangerous boundaries and falling deeply in love.

Many years later, eighty-nine-year-old Isabelle will travel from her home in Arlington, Texas, to Ohio for a funeral. With Isabelle is her hairstylist and friend, Dorrie Curtis – a black single mother with her own problems. Along the way, Isabelle will finally reveal to Dorrie the truth of her painful past: a tale of forbidden love, the consequences of which will resound for decades…

©2013 Julie Kibler (P)2013 Blackstone Audio Inc
Contemporary Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Heartfelt Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Emotionally Gripping

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Critic reviews

”Fans of The Help with love this touching debut…A poignant tale of race relations in America, it will have you hooked” <Sunday Express, S Magazine )

”This touching tale covers the same difficult subject of racism and segregation in 20th-centuary America as The Help. But it’s a much more human and personal book…A sad but life-affirming book” (Bella Magazine)

”Comparisons to The Help are inevitable, and though there are echoes of Kathryn Stockett’s popular best-seller to be found in Calling Me Home, Kibler has crafted a wholly original debut” (Booklist)

All stars
Most relevant
Read well by the two narrators which made it more alive and felt like you were in the car with them! A gripping tale, although sad in places because of prejudice and discrimination but the strong love was so warming. Well written and a really great listen which will leave you wanting more - of the story and from the author!

A great listen. I didn't want the journey to stop!

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What made the experience of listening to Calling Me Home the most enjoyable?

I found the way the story unfolded on the journey and ran alongside what was happening in the hairdressers life captivating

What was one of the most memorable moments of Calling Me Home?

Robert coming back for Isa

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Robert coming back!

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Love does not always win

An interesting slant on a common situation

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What made the experience of listening to Calling Me Home the most enjoyable?

I loved listening to this book and following the stories of Isabelle and Dorrie, both past and present. I felt their stories complemented each other well and gave insights into both perspectives.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Isabelle was my favourite character from feisty young girl to wise old lady. I loved watching her grow into the person she became, shaped by the events in her life, but never losing her compassion or spirit.

What about Bahni Turpin and Lorna Raver ’s performance did you like?

I could picture them together with ease. They were well matched narrators that brought realism to the story.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Tragic true love story torn apart by racism and war but never defeated.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book and it's characters who you could really love or hate. A picture of life in unjust times and the legacy it still leaves in modern day.

Excellent debut novel

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The story starts off uneventfully but there is intrigue hidden behind the introductions of the characters. The story deals very sympathetically with the turmoils
Of colour in a white America, the trials of youth and the heartache of secrets.
I listened to this story from London to Melbourne and back. Fantastic

An unexpected read

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Beautiful narration
Love story at its finest
Kleenex to hand
Listened constantly from start to finish !

♥️ lovely story

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