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The Sweet Relief of Missing Children Audiobook
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(2.05) - 540 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In New York City, a girl called Leonora vanishes without a trace. Years earlier and miles upstate, Goldie, a wild, negligent mother, searches for a man to help raise her precocious son, Paul, who later discovers that the only way to save his soul is to run away. As the narrative moves back and forth in time, we find deeper interconnections between these stories and growing clues about Leonora - this missing girl whose face looks out from telephone poles and billboards - whom one character will give anything to save.
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"This book was completely not what I was expecting. It is a novel of loss and retrospect. Longing and hope for reinvention. The missing children seem to be the adults who lost out on their own childhoods. Sorry if this spoils things. I'm still working my way through my thought process on this one. I say I really liked it because I think I will after I think about it more. Far more complex than I expected. A very good book for discussion."
— Elisabeth (4 out of 5 stars)
The Sweet Relief of Missing Children Listener Reviews
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" Started reading, couldn't get into it and then found myself skimming...decided it wasn't worth the read. "
— Julie, 2/18/2014 -
" I thought this was really good for a first time novelist. She doesn't shy away from the less than pretty stuff people go through and there are some beautifully worded passages. Another author to watch. "
— Laurel, 1/22/2014 -
" The form was really innovative in a subtle way. I would call this "well-crafted." An engrossing story-- or set of stories, really-- but also just a good read for writers who are interested in how novels go together. "
— Robin, 1/11/2014 -
" Great read. Compelling story, fascinating characters, beautiful language throughout. Some readers have complained that it lacks closure or clarity at the end. I couldn't disagree more. The conclusion feels complete, inevitable and wholly satisfying. "
— Mathew, 1/10/2014 -
" This book was kind of frustrating. It was well written, but the plot was ultimately unsatisfying. It was like a bunch of character sketches only loosely held together by the narrative. Also, very melancholy. "
— Wendy, 12/28/2013 -
" Kept waiting for the book to really begin. Then it was over. Not a bad novel, but not great story-telling. "
— Morgue, 12/16/2013 -
" Holy depressing, this book. Good character development, but strange plot. "
— Jennie, 11/18/2013 -
" Short-listed today for the Center for Fiction's 2011 Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize "
— Noreen, 11/13/2013 -
" this was a pretty disappointing book... not recommended "
— Maddie, 10/23/2013 -
" Excellent writing and insight into the psyche, but the story didn't do much for me. "
— Robin, 8/8/2013 -
" What did I just read? I've given up. Almost a third into the book and my brain was screaming for better words. "
— Jenn, 4/25/2013 -
" I could not finish this book...I had such high hopes for this new author! "
— Christine, 2/28/2013 -
" Crackling language. Weird and wonderful characters. Braunstein's narrative structure is certainly complex--there are maybe a dozen characters who appear and reappear. Super ambitious and super successful. Amazing feat of empathy. Gripping stuff. Can't wait to read more from her. "
— Justin, 1/4/2013 -
" Very mesmerizing book which would have made it 5 stars but could not keep track of the characters. "
— Amy, 7/21/2012 -
" This book got mixed reviews, but I found the multiple narratives compelling and challenging, rather than confusing. She writes beautifully. She's a Mainer. And, while bleak, it's a damn fine read. "
— Tasha, 6/25/2012 -
" This was about a 2.5 star book. It had potential, and the writing is decent, but the storyline was so jumbled that it just went nowhere. I was disappointed, because I love a good mystery, and this was not the mystery it claimed to be. "
— Melissa, 6/6/2012 -
" Sarah Braunstein writes the most amazingly beautiful sentences. "
— Favolaetavola, 4/21/2012 -
" I can honestly say I have no idea what I read...there was no story...no plot...just pages of ramblings and they did not go in any kinda order at all...my son kept asking me why I kept reading it and I would pick it up and show him how much I already had invested...what a waste of time... "
— Ann, 3/10/2012 -
" I don't know why I picked up this book -- I think some online thing recommended it. Anyway, although there is some OK writing hee, I found the whole thing just too too eliptical. "
— Gingerkat, 2/11/2012 -
" The plot was okay and could've been more engaging But, there were way too many superficial characters that I lost track of. "
— Grace, 12/18/2011 -
" Excellent writing and insight into the psyche, but the story didn't do much for me. "
— Robin, 5/23/2011 -
" didn't get past page 50 "
— Jacqueline115, 5/16/2011 -
" Ambitious, but ultimately not to my taste. "
— Nora, 4/26/2011 -
" I really don't have anything to say about this book, it was boring and not worth the time to read it. I was extremely disappointed in this book. "
— Nancy, 4/21/2011 -
" I didn't get it. I kept expecting something more to tie the characters together and I wasn't satisfied at the end. "
— Renee, 4/7/2011 -
" I really wanted to like this book--the author writes beautifully, but ultimately, I felt like this book would've read better as a short story collection. Not really a cohesive novel for me. "
— Lalitha, 3/24/2011 -
" This book was such a disappointment. I was really looking forward to it since it had been on NPR's book list. The author tried to weave too mamny stories and got lost in the mix. I had no idea what was going on through the majority of the book. "
— Marykris, 3/22/2011 -
" This book was recommended by a friend who usually has good taste. In this case she didn't disappoint. This book follows multiple characters and at times was hard to figure out where it was all heading but it kept me reading and enthralled till the end. Loved it, definitely a must read. "
— Mike, 3/12/2011 -
" This is an unusually well written book about runaways of all kinds and the feelings of parents. I had mixed emotions about the book, as the author most likely intended. I would recommend this book. "
— Patricia, 3/12/2011 -
" Crackling language. Weird and wonderful characters. Braunstein's narrative structure is certainly complex--there are maybe a dozen characters who appear and reappear. Super ambitious and super successful. Amazing feat of empathy. Gripping stuff. Can't wait to read more from her. "
— Justin, 3/6/2011
About Sarah Braunstein
Sarah Braunstein is the recipient of the Rona Jaffe Writers’ Award and was named one of the National Book Foundation’s “5 Under 35.” She received her MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and lives in Portland, Maine.
About Xe Sands
Sebastian York is an audiobook narrator whose readings include Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines and Beautiful Bombshell by Christina Lauren, among others.