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The Girl Who Fell from the Sky Audiobook, by Heidi W. Durrow Play Audiobook Sample

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky Audiobook

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky Audiobook, by Heidi W. Durrow Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Karen Murray, Emily Bauer, Kathleen McInerney Publisher: Highbridge Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: February 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781598879377

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

45

Longest Chapter Length:

30:39 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

54 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

09:16 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Publisher Description

A timely and moving bicultural coming-of-age tale, based on a true story and told by an author who has struggled with the same issues as her protagonist. The daughter of a Danish immigrant and a black G.I., Rachel survives a family tragedy only to face new challenges. Sent to live with her strict African-American grandmother in a racially divided Northwest city, she must suppress her grief and reinvent herself in a mostly black community. A beauty with light brown skin and blue eyes, she attracts much attention in her new home. The world wants to see her as either black or white, but that’s not how she sees herself. Meanwhile, a mystery unfolds, revealing the terrible truth about Rachel’s last morning on a Chicago rooftop. Interwoven with her voice are those of Jamie, a neighborhood boy who witnessed the events, and Laronne, a friend of Rachel’s mother. Inspired by a true story of a mother’s twisted love, The Girl Who Fell from the Sky reveals an unfathomable past and explores issues of identity at a time when many people are asking “Must race confine us and define us?” Narrated by an ensemble, with Emily Bauer (Rachel), Kathleen McInerney (Nella), and Karen Murray (Jamie, LaRone, Brick, Roger).

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"A really good debut novel (semi-autobiographical) about a biracial girl (Danish & African-American) whose family life is enveloped in more than enough tragedy for a lifetime, added to which is the uncertainty & identity crisis of her ethnic heritage. 80% of this book merits 5 stars. But the ending wasn't up to the rest of the novel, and the gaps in the narrative (dad, the red-haired guy, the mom's boss) towards the end really leave you hanging. Now that Durrow has mined her adolescence to write this 1st novel, I hope she's got something in reserve to write about next."

— Sheri (4 out of 5 stars)

Awards

  • A Booklist Editors’ Choice
  • A Booklist Top 10 First Novel
  • A 2010 Washington Post Best Book for Fiction
  • Selected for the February 2010 Indie Next List
  • A New York Times bestseller

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.5 out of 53.5 out of 53.5 out of 53.5 out of 53.5 out of 5 (3.50)
5 Stars: 4
4 Stars: 14
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 1
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: 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 liked this book, but I did not connect with it emotionally despite it being very sensitive and beautifully-written. I really enjoyed reading about the experiences of a biracial girl being brought up in an African-American community in Portland. But there is a big mystery that surrounds the book which never got resolved to my satisfaction. In fact, there are a number of plot twists which seemed unrealistic, that took place primarily so the main character would react to them. Still, I appreciated the book's artistry. "

    — Alice, 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

    " The 2012 Everybody Reads book for Multnomah County Library. Very good pick for the program - I'm definitely looking forward to the discussions. "

    — Sandra, 2/9/2014
  • 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

    " Liked the way the story was delivered. (3/11) "

    — Elise, 2/7/2014
  • 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

    " Easy read. Simplistic tie-ups, and empty character developments. Disappointed in the end. "

    — Yvette, 1/30/2014
  • 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

    " definitely worth reading. sad story, but it deals with a bunch of different issues and is very thought-provoking. strong writing. "

    — Chandra, 1/29/2014
  • 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 felt like this book was written for the bright high school sophomore or junior. While it was a good book, it didn't offer me any new insight into what made the characters tick or what it was like to be the title character. I came away with no real understanding. A little shallow for my taste. "

    — Carol, 1/28/2014
  • 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

    " This book was great, it gave me a lot to think about and it was written well. I think anyone that cares about looking at issues of race in America should read this. As someone who if I have children they will be biracel it gave me a lot to think about. "

    — Sarah, 1/11/2014
  • 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

    " Well written and, at times sobering and sad. A great story about seeing yourself as more than a race. "

    — Corrie, 1/10/2014
  • 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

    " This is Thursdays Book Group book for May. Done now.. "

    — Helen, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 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

    " What I didn't like about this book: It was poorly written, confusing and muddy. I also couldn't get attached to any of the characters. "

    — Hannah, 12/24/2013
  • 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

    " A powerful book about being biracial and finding self in an unaccepting society which makes us choose. "

    — Cindy, 12/12/2013
  • 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 book with a lot of depth "

    — Nicole, 11/10/2013
  • 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

    " This was a good, quick read - it unfurled quickly once I got into it. Reading it with the book club helped open up some of the themes and symbols, but the book didn't really resonate deeply with me in the end. "

    — Brittany, 11/10/2013
  • 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

    " This novel is inspired by a real life event and the author, who is also biracial, paints a story around the tragedy and uses her own life experiences to make the characters richer. "

    — BettyBolero, 11/8/2013
  • 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

    " This book was beautifully written, however, the ending seemed very rushed. An extra 20 pages to help conclude the plot would have been appreciated. Overall, a very good read. "

    — Samantha, 10/7/2013
  • 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

    " This was a really good book; I should probably be giving it four stars, but it was so sad. I think it would make for a really thought-provoking discussion. "

    — Katie, 8/6/2013
  • 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

    " Three and a half stars is what I want to give it. I liked it, but not 4 stars worth. Rachel and Brick are great characters. "

    — Sandra, 5/15/2013
  • 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

    " It was a decent read, but I was disappointed by the ending. She has potential to be a good author. Hope she writes another book. "

    — Tene, 1/29/2013
  • 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

    " Wonderful book, surprising and unique. The story reveals itself layer by layer as the characters struggle with identity and the past. "

    — Renee, 12/15/2012
  • 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

    " a MUST read for anyone interested in what it means to live a multi-cultural life. especially important read for women. beautiful writing. "

    — Maria, 3/20/2012
  • 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

    " Different from other things we've read. Gave lots of insight on the hostess who chose it. "

    — Rose, 3/19/2012
  • 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

    " book club book. I really liked this book and how it was written. Very interesting, sad story. "

    — Leone, 1/24/2012
  • 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

    " Interesting story. I much enjoyed the writing style. I hoped to pass it on to a friend, but apparently she already read it which was how I came to purchase it. "

    — Heather, 11/5/2011
  • 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 good book, but not as good as hyped. I think I am too old, at 65. I lived and participated in the civil rights struggles of the 60s, and the themes of this book, though well written, were familiar to me. "

    — John, 9/15/2011
  • 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

    " It really just boils down to believable, not-self-conscious writing style, and characters that feel alive. She wrote them so well. I just loved this book. "

    — Jill, 6/3/2011
  • 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 powerful book about being biracial and finding self in an unaccepting society which makes us choose. "

    — Cindy, 5/23/2011
  • 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 was really enjoying the story , then the end seemed really rushed. "

    — Sheryl, 5/23/2011
  • 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

    " Very good book -- she pays homage to Nella Larsen well. I read Quicksand earlier this year, now I'm inspired to read Passing. "

    — Amy, 5/22/2011
  • 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

    " Disturbing glimpse of children who "survive" despite the horrors of society and families that are broken. Goes beyond a story of racial stereotypes and is terribly sad. "

    — Chrisgretchko, 5/22/2011
  • 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

    " It took me a long time to get the feel of the book. Just becu se I didn't like it doesn't make it bad. I didn't like the short chracter chapters. It didn't allow proper character development.once I figured it out, I had to go back and reread. "

    — Haim, 5/12/2011
  • 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

    " The girl ends up in NE Portland so there is a lot of desciption close to home. Not sure of the authors Portland connection. "

    — Julie, 5/12/2011
  • 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 enjoyed this book but felt the author jumped around between narratives too much. Also, I thought the ending was weak. I would have liked to have this family saga end with more closure for Rachel. "

    — Beth, 5/11/2011
  • 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 book every biracial girl in the US should read. "

    — Justine, 5/11/2011
  • 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

    " very well written book. Sad though. "

    — Nicole, 5/7/2011

About Heidi W. Durrow

Heidi Durrow is a graduate of Stanford, Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, and Yale Law School. She is the recipient of several fellowships including one from the New York Foundation for the Arts and a Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Emerging Writers. She won top honors in the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition and the Chapter One Fiction Contest. Her writing has appeared in Alaska Quarterly Review, the Literary Review, Yale Journal of Law, Feminism, Essence, and Newsday. She is the recipient of Barbara Kingsolvers Bellwether Prize for Literature of Social Change.

About the Narrators

Emily Bauer is an award-winning voice-over actress who has read for dozens of popular audiobooks for children and adults, including Margery Williams’s Velveteen Rabbit, Meg Cabot’s Insatiable, and Ann Aguirre’s Enclave. Her film credits include Mona Lisa Smile and Long Distance. She has done voice-overs for Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Pokemon and has voiced scores of TV and radio commercials as well as cartoons, talking toys, and video games.

Kathleen McInerney won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration in 2011 and was a finalist for the Audie in 2010 and 2015. Her narrations have also earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has performed in New York and around the United States in both classical and contemporary theater. Her credits also include television commercials, daytime drama, radio plays, and a broad range of animation voice-overs.