The Second Life of Mirielle West

De: Amanda Skenandore

Narrado por: Nicole Poole

Los Angeles, 1920s: Socialite Mirielle West's days are crowded with shopping, luncheons, and prepping for the myriad glittering parties she attends with her actor husband, Charlie. She's been too busy to even notice the small patch of pale skin on the back of her hand. Other than an occasional overindulgence in gin and champagne, which helps to numb the pain of recent tragedy, Mirielle is the picture of health. But her doctor insists on more tests, and Mirielle reluctantly agrees.

The diagnosis - leprosy - is devastating and unthinkable. Changing her name to shield Charlie and their two young children, Mirielle is exiled to rural Louisiana for what she hopes will be a swift cure. But the hospital at Carville turns out to be as much a prison as a place of healing. Deaths far outnumber the discharges, and many patients have languished for years.

At first, Mirielle keeps her distance from other residents, unwilling to accept her new reality. Gradually she begins to find both a community and a purpose at Carville, helping the nurses and doctors while eagerly anticipating her return home. But even that wish is tinged with uncertainty. How can she bridge the divide between the woman, wife, and mother she was and the stranger she has become? And what price is she willing to pay to protect the ones she loves?

©2021 Amanda Skenandore (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Educational

Eventful, descriptive and dramatic this book reminded me of a movie made in the ‘50s. I learned much more about Hansen’s disease than I thought I would.

Really Good

Engaging and informative novel that puts you inside the world of Carville from 1917-1942. I didn't care much for the main character until the last few chapters, but that's rather the point.

The narrator does a pretty fair job of cajun accents but butchers most local words, including nearly every town in LA. It's a little painful for Louisiana peeps to hear. Why is it narrators so rarely find out how to pronounce cajun words? It happens frequently.

Great Book

The book held my interest from start to finish. That's high praise. Narration was great as well.

I liked it so much more than I thought I would.

I’m not much of one for stories that are not sci fi but this one with a medical theme caught my interest. It was really well written stayed interesting all the way through the book and made me think I might like something else by the author

Really interesting story

Book was based on fact regarding leprosy and the hospital in Louisiana. Listening to audio books great way to do a long car trip.

Great engaging story!!

Till the end the narrator keeps the audience engaged with Mirielle and how she eventually begins to evolve and finds herself. Wonderful story!

Bittersweet Story

Engrossing book…couldn’t stop listening. Great story and wonderful narrator. Excellent period piece about 1920s leprosy outbreak, attempts to discover a cure and society’s shameful treatment of those afflicted.

Great story of the human experience

An unexpected story of growth and acceptance, involving multiple characters all on the same path, experienced in different ways

Exceptional Historical Fiction

The medical mystery of leprosy divided families and the nation. This book is about a beautiful socialite married to a famous actor. Her life and that of her family are forever altered by her diagnosis. Readers are drawn to fully developed characters and stunning scenery. Listening in Audible to the elegant narration was mesmerizing. Loved it and will look for other books by this author.

The reaction of people to leopards

Loved how the story kept me guessing what would come next.
Great easy listening book