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The Healing Audiobook
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(4.00) - 2,457 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The pre-Civil War South comes brilliantly to life in this masterfully written novel about a mysterious and charismatic healer readers won’t soon forget Mississippi plantation mistress Amanda Satterfield loses her daughter to cholera after her husband refuses to treat her for what he considers to be a “slave disease.” Insane with grief, Amanda takes a newborn slave child as her own and names her Granada, much to the outrage of her husband and the amusement of their white neighbors. Troubled by his wife’s disturbing mental state and concerned about a mysterious plague sweeping through his slave population, Master Satterfield purchases Polly Shine, a slave reputed to be a healer. But Polly’s sharp tongue and troubling predictions cause unrest across the plantation. Complicating matters further, Polly recognizes “the gift” in Granada, the mistress’s pet, and a domestic battle of wills ensues. Seventy-five years later, Granada, now known as Gran Gran, is still living on the plantation and must revive the buried memories of her past in order to heal a young girl abandoned to her care. Together they learn the power of story to heal the body, the spirit and the soul. Rich in mood and atmosphere, The Healing is the kind of novel readers can’t put down—and can’t wait to recommend once they’ve finished. This download includes a 30-minute bonus feature.
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"What an amazing and magical read. I absolutely loved it and so did not want it to end. It is the eve of the Civil War, on a large plantation in Mississippi and the master pays a unprecedented sum of money for a woman slave said to be a healer. Things are not going well on the plantation, slaves are dying and the mistress is going insane after the death of her daughter. Enters Polly Shine, a character I will never forget. I read an interview by this author and he includes much in his afterword, on how he felt after being raised in white man's Mississippi he felt he was missing a great part of his history, he actually talked to former midwives and other blacks raised in that era for the information in his novel. Comparing it to The Help is doing this book a disservice, because though I did like that book, this book immerses the reader in the plantation system, it is told from the viewpoint of Polly Shine and Granada, a young house raised slave that she takes to train, because Polly Shine feels that she has the same gift as herself. He explains exactly what freedom meant to the slaves and how some were not able to move on. It is a fascinating, historical read and I highly recommend it. ARC provided by Net Galley."
— Diane (5 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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Selected for the March 2012 Indie Next List
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
The Healing Listener Reviews
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" This book was great!! You could feel the setting leap from the pages. This would make a great book club selection. "
— Bridget, 2/18/2014 -
" Story of slaves and a Healer was wonderful. "
— Helene, 2/18/2014 -
" This a great historical fiction piece! It takes place in Mississippi and is the story of a slave girl trained as a healer by one of the best and her life on a plantation. Part of the story is told by Granada as a girl and part from her reflections as Gran Gran, an elderly woman remembering and sharing her stories with Violet, a very special girl for whom she is caring. This book was recommended as one for people who liked The Help, but it is a very different sort of story. The Healing is wonderful rich writing and Odell pulls readers right into this incredible life in Mississippi at a pretty bleak time in our country's history. "
— Melinda, 2/12/2014 -
" Really enjoyed this book. Well written, great characters and story line. Held my attention from the beginning to the end. I would recommend this book to a book club as I think the discussion would be great. "
— Loie, 1/29/2014 -
" Loved everything about this novel! A great read! "
— Emily, 1/20/2014 -
" I think this is probably the most perfect book I have ever read. "
— Cally, 1/19/2014 -
" HOw could you not love Polly Shine? Great story, complex characters and beautiful depth. Recommended. "
— Courtney, 1/10/2014 -
" Cannot get into this book... "
— Allison, 12/24/2013 -
" I thought the writing style was amazing and this was an unbelievable story of love, devotion, life and connection. I really enjoyed this book. "
— Kathidfsmc, 12/18/2013 -
" This book was excellent. I got swept up in the characters and the history of their lives, Polly Shine especially. The ending was absolutely perfect. I couldn't have asked it to end better. If you liked The Help then you'll love this! "
— Katie, 11/22/2013 -
" I enjoyed bits of this book but the plot repeated itself instead of evolve into a good story. "
— Diane, 4/12/2013 -
" I enjoyed this book and found it moving. It was exciting and engaging from the beginning! Did not love it the way I loved The Help. I do believe The Healing would make an excellent movie as well! "
— Faith, 4/5/2013 -
" Amazing story set in the south during slavery. "
— Marilou, 1/16/2013 -
" Great story from beginning to end "
— Teresa, 10/17/2012 -
" It was a little slow starting, but once it picked up, it was hard to put down. A very well written book with a perspective of slaves gaining power, instead of being powerless. "
— Miriam, 7/23/2012 -
" really more of a 3.7 - very good story with a good twist in the end. "
— Wendi, 7/15/2012 -
" This book is going to stay with me for a long time. "
— Amiee, 7/12/2012 -
" a healer and midwife recounts her life of slavery to freedom to a young child and finds peace with her life "
— Martha, 6/6/2012 -
" why do authors continue to write about the south during slavery? come on. mr odell should have written more about his suggestions and experiences as he did in the back of the book. "
— Gewizaz, 5/10/2012 -
" Incredible book. Well written and held my attention from beginning to end. "
— Heather, 3/8/2012 -
" Liked this book alot. Mn author. Possible to be my summer read. "
— Leah, 2/9/2012
About Jonathan Odell
Jonathan Odell is the author of the acclaimed novel The View from Delphi, which deals with the struggle for equality in pre–civil rights Mississippi, his home state. His short stories and essays have appeared in numerous collections. He spent his business career as a leadership coach to Fortune 500 companies and currently resides in Minnesota.
About Adenrele Ojo
Adenrele Ojo is an actress, dancer, and audiobook narrator, winner of over a dozen Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2018. She made her on-screen debut in My Little Girl, starring Jennifer Lopez, and has since starred in several other films. She has also performed extensively with the Philadelphia Dance Company. As the daughter of John E. Allen, Jr., founder and artistic director of Freedom Theatre, the oldest African American theater in Pennsylvania, is no stranger to the stage. In 2010 she performed in the Fountain Theatre’s production of The Ballad of Emmett Till, which won the 2010 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Best Ensemble. Other plays include August Wilson’s Jitney and Freedom Theatre’s own Black Nativity, where she played Mary.