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Brownsville: Stories Audiobook, by Oscar Casares Play Audiobook Sample

Brownsville: Stories Audiobook

Brownsville: Stories Audiobook, by Oscar Casares Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Luis Moreno Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: December 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781440775345

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

10

Longest Chapter Length:

46:37 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:52 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

29:35 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

3

Other Audiobooks Written by Oscar Casares: > View All...

Publisher Description

Oscar Casares' debut collection of short stories was selected as an ALA Notable book and received tremendous praise from publications ranging from the New York Times and the Washington Post to Entertainment Weekly. These nine stories follow a collection of unforgettable characters trying to get by while living in the South Texas border town of Brownsville.

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"I really enjoyed reading this book. Oscar Casares did a wonderful job using Brownsville, Texas as the setting, yet writing stories that relate to all races and all people, rather than just Mexican-Americans. I like how Casares made the stories shorter than expected because that allows the reader to really engage with each particular story by having to think about what has happened rather than the author completing the story for you. Overall, this is an amazing book!"

— Samantha (5 out of 5 stars)

Brownsville Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.774193548387097 out of 53.774193548387097 out of 53.774193548387097 out of 53.774193548387097 out of 53.774193548387097 out of 5 (3.77)
5 Stars: 10
4 Stars: 9
3 Stars: 7
2 Stars: 5
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Easy read and plenty of stories for everyone. "

    — Joseph, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read it a long time ago. Really liked it. I am reviewing it as a "mentor text" for my short story collection for my capstone. "

    — Troy, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I picked this up in the exam list purchasing frenzy, but did not make the cut. Short stories set in Chicano communities in Texas. Not amazing literature, but occasionally amusing. The code-switching in this novel is sometimes a little out of nowhere "

    — Skidmarquez, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Stories from my hometown. Very true to my upbringing! "

    — Jess, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting collection of short stories of Hispanic-Americans living in the border town. It's ok. From a multicultural standpoint it's great but the stories didn't touch me on a personal level and English major or not, that what matters to me. "

    — Rachel, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Highly recommended if you grew up in a town bordering Mexico. Oscar Casares gets it right--the way people talk, the way they look, the way their lives go, everything. "

    — Annie, 12/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Some of the stories fall short of being amazing. Yet a few give you glimpses of a writer finding his words and getting comfortable with his prose. A strong effort that captures an everyday Hispanic community that is becoming a larger part of the American landscape. "

    — Luis, 12/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of my favorite short story collections of all time! "

    — Ed, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I enjoyed reading this collection of stories set in the borderland. A solid work, and a good cultural exposition. I also enjoyed Casares's recent non-fiction story about his family history, which was published in Texas Monthly. "

    — Lois, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Brilliant. Character-driven stories that are written in a clean, deft style. Truly memorable characters. "

    — Clay, 10/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great short stories about life in and around Brownsville, Texas. You would love Bony who finds a monkey's head. "

    — Cynthia, 6/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Simple stories about familiar people. "

    — Matthew, 3/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I just happened to stumble across this little book. I loved this collection of short stories. "

    — Velisa, 3/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I picked up a copy of "Brownsville" over the weekend - I laughed, I cried and I fondly recalled the three years that I lived in the Valley in reading it. "

    — Rachel, 2/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Spare stories that don't knock you over the head with meaning. Refreshing! One story is all about a man who simmers over a borrowed/unreturned hammer. The collection is about U.S.-Mexico border life - but not in the usual flashy magical realism meets immigration policy kind of a way. "

    — Alexandra, 1/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I'm usually not a huge lover of short stories, but this is an excellent collection. The characters are strange, likeable, and people you'll swear you've had in class - yikes. "

    — Connolly, 8/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I'm not normally a fan of short story volumes, but this was an easy, enjoyable read. "

    — Kendra, 5/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " good writing and stories. but too safe. his new novel is..better? "

    — Tuck, 3/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " So far, it's been pretty amusing. "

    — Lorena, 11/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " a really well written heart felt and inspirational collection of short stories. I could see the characters and know all them in one fashion or another. "

    — Pilar, 4/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Easy read and plenty of stories for everyone. "

    — Joseph, 3/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " blocky, colorless minimalism with a little Spanglish thrown in "

    — Brooke, 3/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I just happened to stumble across this little book. I loved this collection of short stories. "

    — Velisa, 2/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of my favorite short story collections of all time! "

    — Ed, 11/18/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting collection of short stories of Hispanic-Americans living in the border town. It's ok. From a multicultural standpoint it's great but the stories didn't touch me on a personal level and English major or not, that what matters to me. "

    — Rachel, 1/9/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " good writing and stories. but too safe. his new novel is..better? "

    — Tuck, 11/18/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fictional collection of short stories about everyday life in the Rio Grande Valley. <br/> <br/>If you have ever lived in or frequented South Texas, these short stories will hit home. Wonderful slices of life about life in a region you can only understand if you've lived it. "

    — Luis, 10/21/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Some of the stories fall short of being amazing. Yet a few give you glimpses of a writer finding his words and getting comfortable with his prose. A strong effort that captures an everyday Hispanic community that is becoming a larger part of the American landscape. "

    — Luis, 9/24/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Spare stories that don't knock you over the head with meaning. Refreshing! One story is all about a man who simmers over a borrowed/unreturned hammer. The collection is about U.S.-Mexico border life - but not in the usual flashy magical realism meets immigration policy kind of a way. "

    — Alexandra, 8/8/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Several funny/touching Raymond Carver type of stories centered around the city of Brownsville, TX. <br/> <br/>The philosophy of &quot;If it's simple and works, don't complicate it&quot; applies to these stories and is perfectly executed. "

    — Steven, 6/10/2009
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I picked this up in the exam list purchasing frenzy, but did not make the cut. Short stories set in Chicano communities in Texas. Not amazing literature, but occasionally amusing. The code-switching in this novel is sometimes a little out of nowhere "

    — Skidmarquez, 5/11/2009

About Oscar Casares

Oscar Casares was born in the border town of Brownsville, Texas, the setting for his critically acclaimed story collection. The recipient of a 2006 National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, Casares is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and now teaches creative writing at the University of Texas in Austin, where he lives with his wife and young son.

About Luis Moreno

Luis Moreno, a voice actor, has narrated several audiobooks throughout his career.