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  • Red Dust Road

  • By: Jackie Kay
  • Narrated by: Jackie Kay
  • Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (155 ratings)
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Red Dust Road cover art

Red Dust Road

By: Jackie Kay
Narrated by: Jackie Kay
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Summary

From the moment when, as a little girl, she realises that her skin is a different colour from that of her beloved mum and dad, to the tracing and finding of her birth parents, her Highland mother and Nigerian father, the courageous revelatory journey that Jackie Kay undertakes in Red Dust Road is full of unexpected twists, turns and deep emotions.

©2010 Jackie Kay (P)2011 W F Howes Ltd

What listeners say about Red Dust Road

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Well narrated by author

This was well narrated by Jackie Kay, as she gave authentic pronunciation to the Nigerian words. The only criticism was that the story jumped all over time-wise and repeated some events under different headings.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

wonderfully thought provoking read

Loved this story and particularly loved Jackie's wonderful narration which I think really added to the pleasure. So much to think about in this and so beautifully written

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely superb

If you could sum up Red Dust Road in three words, what would they be?

Moving, funny, thought-provoking

What other book might you compare Red Dust Road to, and why?

n/a

Have you listened to any of Jackie Kay’s other performances? How does this one compare?

n/a

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

That isn't really an option for me as I have young children. However I did want to listen whenever I had a spare few minutes!

Any additional comments?

I thought this book was just brilliant - hilarious in parts, also very moving and incredibly well written. Jackie was superb narrating her own story with her lovely lilting Scottish accent and really made it such an entertaining, enjoyable listen. I am now going to search out her poetry as I think she is fabulous. One of the best books I have downloaded - thank you Audible for a truly wonderful listen.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Loved it

What a great listen....I downloaded this after downloading 'Why be happy when you could be normal '(my favourite book of 2012). It, like Wintersons book examines the journey of adopted people finding their birth parents and all the complex feelings that exist around this. Both sad in some parts and laugh out loud funny in others this is a very intelligent and compassionate book , well worth your audible credit.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • V
  • 07-12-13

Great book, beautifully read

Where does Red Dust Road rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best autobiographies I've listened too.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Red Dust Road?

Read by the author is her beautiful lyrical Scottish voice.

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

Can you find love and beauty through searching for your birth parents.

Any additional comments?

Wonderfully read and written. A story of love and respect for adoptive parents and a search to unravel the mystery of birth parents.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely loved this book!

Wonderful storytelling and the Scottish and Nigerian accents made it more fun.
Beautifully descriptive.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Felt like I was on the Red Dust Road with Jackie!

Loved it! So many amazing moments and vivid pictures painted by this great writer.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The narrative of one's life

I must say I didn't know who Jackie Kay was when I bought this book. I was looking for something with a Scottish accent (being a Spanish speaker, I have develope a strange weakness for some English accents), and the story line seemed appealing. This is a choice I haven't regretted --I can't say the same about Welsh's 'Porno'--. I have since seeked other works by Kay, both in poetry and fiction, and I am becoming a sort of fan.

Red Dust Road is an autobiography. I don't read many of them: they are usually linear and, no matter how interesting the person's life might be, I often find that they try to give an objective account and end up being too unemotional.

Jackie Kay, though, treats her own story as if it was a piece of fiction. She manages the plot masterfully, giving as much or as little information as needed at every stage in order to bring us, gradually, to an 'intuition' of her and the other's characters and state of mind. She doesn't impose her point of view, even though it is her own life, but rather takes us to every spot through different routes, by bits, giving everyone the chance to get a wider picture.

Jackie Kay is, besides, a wonderful narrator. I would listen to anything she read. Please do record more.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

heartwarming and relatable

Loved this fascinating and beautifully written collection remembered stories, honest feelings and musings about trying to understand it all. Could relate to so many parts of Jackie Kay's feelings and encounters. Such a kind and heart warming recount. I had to listen again! would heartily recommend.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully written and narrated

Red Dust Road is a deeply moving journey through Scotland and Nigeria, a journey of a woman who grew up in unusual circumstances. It's a book about life, family, adoption, love and about becoming the person you are today. Beautifully narrated by Jackie Kay herself, this book kept me captivated. Red Dust Road brought back memories of my own journeys through Scotland and Africa and it caused me fits of laughter.
I can hardly wait to listen to more of Jackie Kay.

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1 person found this helpful