On the Divinity of Second Chances: A Novel Audiobook, by Kaya McLaren Play Audiobook Sample

On the Divinity of Second Chances: A Novel Audiobook

On the Divinity of Second Chances: A Novel Audiobook, by Kaya McLaren Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Arthur Morey, Cassandra Campbell, Kimberly Farr, Lincoln Hoppe, various narrators Publisher: Penguin Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 7.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: April 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781101052945

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

108

Longest Chapter Length:

17:35 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

58 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

05:56 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Kaya McLaren: > View All...

Publisher Description

A broken family finds its way back together in this captivating story from the author of Church of the Dog A charismatic author with a voice and message all her own, Kaya McLaren has become beloved in the book world as much for her upbeat energy as for her rich storytelling. In On the Divinity of Second Chances, she portrays a family on the brink of dissolution-a mother besieged by middle age, a distant father lost in daily life, and their three teenage children struggling in various ways with the family's disintegration even as they conceal a secret that could send their parents further over the edge. With the help of a group of tap-dancing old ladies, a sensual tango teacher, and a lot of luck, this family is about to learn that everyone gets a second chance which, as McLaren beautifully reminds us in this inspiring novel, is sometimes even better than the first.

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"This book was totally amazing. I just fell in love with all the characters in this book and I wish I could read more about this wonderful family. I hated to see this book end. I really liked the style in which this author writes, each chapter about a different character, in the first person. You really get a feel for each person in this family and what they are going through and what each person's thoughts and feeling are. A book I won't soon forget. Two thumbs up!!!!!!"

— Karen (5 out of 5 stars)

Awards

  • Selected for the May 2009 Indie Next List
  • Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award

On the Divinity of Second Chances Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.9 out of 53.9 out of 53.9 out of 53.9 out of 53.9 out of 5 (3.90)
5 Stars: 15
4 Stars: 14
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 3
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: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I LOVED this book !!!! "

    — Lisa, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " While I strongly disagree with some of the beliefs presented (reincarnation, specifically), as a literary device they work with the theme; overall, I enjoyed the book. "

    — Leslie, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The beginning was so-so for me, but I loved the second half! "

    — Meghan, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Will wait to rate this until after the Author has visited our book club, however I liked it much better than her 1st novel. "

    — Eileen, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very quirky book... a little challenging to get into, but hang in there and I promise you'll fall in love with the whole cast of characters. Each family member has their own story line that weaves together into one big tapestry.. The story of Phil and Anna is particularly poignant. Won't take you long to read -well worth the time invested. "

    — Phyllis, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Goofy, upbeat fun. Both predictable and unbelievable, but so what? This book made me smile. "

    — Maura, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " sweet book about how a family that is falling apart comes back together. While some of the individual events didn't ring true to me, the emotional resonances rang true. Definitely some humor mixed in as well as pathos. "

    — Ann, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " TERRIBLE writer - wow. Each chapter supposed to be in a different character's voice, but ALL are the same. Childish and silly, a ridiculous story with no real point except that all characters need a "second chance". Gag. "

    — Andrea, 12/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Again not my typical book choice. It was hard for me to start this book but i really got it. It was a good story with lots of great charactures. "

    — Liz, 12/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I wrote the book I wanted to read. It's beautiful, quirky, full of heart, and kind of magical too. You'll love it! It will be out in paperback in February 2009. "

    — Kaya, 12/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A fun, quirky read, loved it! "

    — Leslie, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Kaya is one of my favorite writers. I loved the brother, yay for Peter Lemonjello. "

    — Donna, 11/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved it. I would read it again. "

    — Roxy, 11/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I read this one in a day; that doesn't happen often. Kaya McLaren is now officially one of my favorite authors. Her insight into human nature is amazing. This book is funny, romantic, touching a little bit fantasy, and well written. "

    — Sharon, 11/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great book. Similar in character development to Jodi Piccoults "My Sister's Keeper", the book is written from several characters perspectives and Kaya does an excellent job of individualizing her characters. Interesting. The moon is one of the biggest players. "

    — Lois, 3/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " In places this book made me laugh out loud, and in places there were wonderful insights. And it was definitely quirky; I LOVED Pearl. But to me it seemed slow in places. "

    — Nancy, 3/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " like books that have a theme of redemption - and this one comes through. I also really liked the tap dancing grandmas - Thunderellas was such an awesome name! "

    — Martha, 3/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I don't know why I loved this book, but I did. It made me laugh out loud. Just a light read with some humor and some major trials. "

    — Lisa, 12/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This book was a little whimsical, a lot oddball. The characters and stories were wacky and the whole thing was too crunchy for me. However, the writing seemed really honest, I liked that. "

    — K, 11/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Beautiful! Wonderful! Quirky and funny. "

    — Anne, 11/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I did not finish this. Way too quirky for me. I adored Church of the Dog, but I just could not follow the charachters and their oddities after 81 pages, so just stopped. On to something new! "

    — Kathryn, 10/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I DID not want this story to end!! "

    — Bonnie, 5/1/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Quirky and spiritual with relatable characters. A fun read. "

    — Marcella, 12/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Gave up on this one too. "

    — Jean, 12/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " absolutely DIVINE!! "

    — Laurie, 10/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I really love the diversity of the characters in this book. It's quirky and I felt that I came away having learned something about myself and about life. I'd greatly recommend it to anyone, in general, but especially anyone who feels like they've lost the path to their life. "

    — Allie, 9/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Bordered on a little new agey and bizarre but once I got into the story I found the characters to be quite interesting. A nice deviation from the norm. "

    — Pam, 6/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Wow, a book that is positive, fun & mixes in the spirit world with everday living. This is how I like to see the world. "

    — Elizabeth, 5/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Instead of actual chapters, it is divided by vinettes. Not too much my cup of tea. Otherwise,not a bad story. "

    — Kim, 4/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " sweet book about how a family that is falling apart comes back together. While some of the individual events didn't ring true to me, the emotional resonances rang true. Definitely some humor mixed in as well as pathos. "

    — Ann, 2/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Again not my typical book choice. It was hard for me to start this book but i really got it. It was a good story with lots of great charactures. "

    — Liz, 10/6/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book. Everyone should read it! "

    — Suzanne, 8/24/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " In places this book made me laugh out loud, and in places there were wonderful insights. And it was definitely quirky; I LOVED Pearl. But to me it seemed slow in places. "

    — Nancy, 7/19/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Liked this--would actually give it three and a-half stars if I could. "

    — Sam, 6/2/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I'm not connecting to the characters in this book as much as I did to the ones in Church of the Dog. I'm enjoying it though. I just finished this book and I did enjoy it. It has a very nice, uplifting ending. I still liked Church of the Dog better. "

    — Dana, 4/8/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great book. Similar in character development to Jodi Piccoults "My Sister's Keeper", the book is written from several characters perspectives and Kaya does an excellent job of individualizing her characters. Interesting. The moon is one of the biggest players. "

    — Lois, 4/4/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The beginning was so-so for me, but I loved the second half! "

    — Meghan, 3/24/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was a good read. Slow to start but then I couldn't put it down. "

    — Lisa, 3/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A fun, quirky read, loved it! "

    — Leslie, 3/1/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What I enjoyed about this book were the characters and the positive vibes... "

    — Angela, 2/19/2010

About Kaya McLaren

Kaya McLaren spent four summers in college working at Camp Zanika on Lake Wenatchee in Washington State, and fifteen years later returned to run the teen programs for two more. In addition to her camp experience, she’s been an elementary teacher, an art teacher, an archaeologist, and a massage therapist. Although her roots are in Washington, she currently resides wherever the wind takes her.

About the Narrators

Arthur Morey has won three AudioFile Magazine “Best Of” Awards, and his work has garnered numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and placed him as a finalist for two Audie Awards. He has acted in a number of productions, both off Broadway in New York and off Loop in Chicago. He graduated from Harvard and did graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has won awards for his fiction and drama, worked as an editor with several book publishers, and taught literature and writing at Northwestern University. His plays and songs have been produced in New York, Chicago, and Milan, where he has also performed.

Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.

Kimberly Farr is an actress and winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration. She has appeared on Broadway and at the New York Shakespeare Festival, the Roundabout Theatre, Playwright’s Horizons, and the American Place. She created the role of “Eve” in Arthur Miller’s first and only musical, Up from Paradise, which was directed by the author. She appeared with Vanessa Redgrave in the Broadway production of The Lady from the Sea and has acted in regional theaters across the country, including a performance in the original production of The 1940’s Radio Hour at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage.

Lincoln Hoppe is an accomplished actor of stage and screen with several films, plays, television shows, and numerous audiobooks to his credit. His audiobook narrations have earned him nine AudioFile Earphones Awards. His diverse voice characterizations can be heard on animated films, video games, and commercials across the globe. He is a member of the Lost Angeles Comedy Sportz Improv Company.

James Langton, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, trained as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and later as a musician at the Guildhall School in London. He has worked in radio, film, and television, also appearing in theater in England and on Broadway. He is also a professional musician who led the internationally renowned Pasadena Roof Orchestra from 1996 to 2002.