Play Audiobook Sample
Leaving Cecil Street Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(4.02) - 248 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Best-selling author Diane McKinney-Whetstone has won such prizes as the Zora Neale Hurston Society award for creative contribution to literature. Set in 1969, Leaving Cecil Street takes place in a proud neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The block has just thrown a summertime street party. Joe and Louise have been married for awhile, and Joe loves his wife. But sometimes he wonders what might have been if he had pursued some of those dreams he left behind. "Diane McKinney-Whetstone is an immensely gifted writer who seamlessly weaves a rich tapestry of desire and discontent in this engrossing tale of working-class Philadelphians coping with change and each other."-Essence
Download and start listening now!
"Another beautiful West Philadelphia story from McKinney-Whetstone. Characters are richly developed and always interesting. She is a specialist at constructing unconventional but realistic interpersonal relationships."
— Amber (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“Diane McKinney-Whetstone…creates a unique, believable black middle-class world where there are no villains—just individuals trying their very best to get through life while inflicting minimum pain on each other, or themselves…These people are flawed, human, and engaging in the best sense.”
— Washington Post -
“Leaving Cecil Street is spellbinding, flawlessly written, and deeply moving. Diane McKinney-Whetstone is an immensely gifted writer who seamlessly weaves a rich tapestry of desire and discontent in this engrossing tale of working-class Philadelphians coping with change and each other.”
— Essence -
“Wistful, melodious, contemplative, McKinney-Whetstone’s prose feels inspired…[and] is remarkable for the rich development of all its characters.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“McKinney-Whetstone offers finely drawn characters and an evocative setting while exploring human relations in a close-knit black community.”
— Booklist -
“The author depicts…[the] pivotal events in other characters’ lives that explain the complex, secret, and often painful connections among them. This richly poetic novel offers a vivid depiction of urban life during the early post-civil-rights era.”
— School Library Journal -
“[A] heartfelt fourth from McKinney-Whetstone, who has a true talent for strong characters, effortlessly natural dialogue, and prose that flows.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Leaving Cecil Street Listener Reviews
-
" 25.4b author shares random gen: Diana Nightingale "
— pjreads, 1/4/2014 -
" Deeply moving and spellbinding. The way the characters were all connected in some way in the past and brought together in the end was flawless and beautiful! I loved it!! "
— Jenene, 12/26/2013 -
" Amazing. She knows how to tell a story. Great Read! "
— Jillian, 12/5/2013 -
" Did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I like the way the author unfolds this story "
— Rachel, 11/24/2013 -
" Wonderful read. Heavy stuff though. Reminds me of clients in my public health work. "
— Cindy, 10/19/2013 -
" I loved this book. I felt like I was right there with Neet and Shay. Diane McKinney-Whetstone always brings it home for me. "
— Bonita, 9/12/2013 -
" Another excellent book. It's hard to describe what it's about, you just have to read it and absorb the wonderful characters and the changes that they go through. "
— De, 8/11/2013 -
" I love this book. This is definitely on my top 5! "
— Crystal, 7/27/2013 -
" Tons of drama on Cecil Street. I loved Joe's character. I didn't care for Louise at all. Alberta was crazy, and I loved Neet and Shay's friendship. Diane McKinney really knows how to tell a story. Very good book. "
— Tia, 7/24/2013 -
" Leaving Cecil Street is a near flawless execution. "
— David, 4/26/2013 -
" This was a great read, true page turner. The story if of a neighborhood in Philadelphia. I've recommeded this book to many friends "
— Gwendolyn, 3/3/2013 -
" Such a wonderful book. I loved how all their lives were intertwined before and after Cecil Street. Diane McKinney-Whetstone is definitely a good read. "
— Brittany, 2/19/2013 -
" I have read of few of her books, and they always start out painfully slow and pick up somewhere in the middle. If you can get through the backstory and the seemingly random information it will be very worth it. "
— Jillian, 2/10/2013 -
" verklempt. i clutched my pearls through about 76% of this novel. "
— Jeanette, 1/7/2013 -
" A mystery story of sorts which unfolds in a black neighborhood in south Philadelphia circa 1969. "
— Diana, 10/29/2012 -
" This is an amazing story about a tragedy that changes a friendship, family love/discovery, and loss. Every character plays an important role & the way the author tells the story keeps you engossed until the very end. "
— Paula, 10/21/2012 -
" Nazareth Memorial Library Book Club book. "
— Gayle, 9/3/2012
About Diane McKinney-Whetstone
Diane McKinney-Whetstone is the author of five acclaimed novels and the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Library Association’s Black Caucus Literary Award for Fiction, which she won twice. She teaches fiction writing at the University of Pennsylvania and lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Greg.