From the author of the “lyrical and compelling” (USA Today) novel A Good American comes a powerful story of two friends and the unintended consequences of friendship, loss, and hope. For Robert Carter, life in his coastal Maine hometown is comfortably predictable. But in 1976, on his first day of eighth grade, he meets Nathan Tilly, who changes everything. Nathan is confident, fearless, impetuous—and fascinated by kites and flying. Robert and Nathan’s budding friendship is forged in the crucible of two family tragedies, and as the boys struggle to come to terms with loss, they take summer jobs at the local rundown amusement park. It’s there that Nathan’s boundless capacity for optimism threatens to overwhelm them both, and where they learn some harsh truths about family, desire, and revenge. Unforgettable and heart-breaking, Setting Free the Kites is a poignant and moving exploration of the pain, joy, and glories of young friendship.
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“In portraying characters with range of ages and personalities, narrator Ari Fliakos does a masterful job of narrating this moving audiobook…Fliakos captures the personality of a young man who is learning much from the people in his life…Fliakos succeeds in his narration of all the facets of the story.”
— AudioFile
“A warm, relatable—at times heartbreakingly so—story of two boys becoming men in 1970s Maine…George authentically relays the dynamic, difficult nature of families.”
— Columbia Daily Tribune“A lovely meditation on young friendship and the harsh realities of growing up.”
— Book Riot“A moving novel of friendship, family, loss, and reconcilation…an emotionally resonant novel.”
— Shelf Awareness“George is masterly in his rendition of Maine landscapes and the emotional swings of adolescence.”
— Publishers WeeklyBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Alex George is an Englishman who lives, works, and writes in Missouri. He studied law at Oxford and worked for eight years as a corporate lawyer in London and Paris before moving to the United States.
Ari Fliakos is an actor with experience in television, radio, film, theater, and voice-overs. He has earned four Earphones Awards, and his narration of Seth Patrick’s Reviver won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration for paranormal fiction. On screen, he is best-known for his roles in Law & Order, Pills, and Company K.