Dollbaby

A Novel

By: Laura Lane McNeal

Narrated by: January Lavoy

Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

A big-hearted coming-of-age debut set in civil rights-era New Orleans - a novel of Southern eccentricity and secrets.

When Ibby Bell's father dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1964, her mother unceremoniously deposits Ibby with her eccentric grandmother Fannie and throws in her father's urn for good measure. Fannie's New Orleans house is like no place Ibby has ever been - and Fannie, who has a tendency to end up in the local asylum - is like no one she has ever met. Fortunately, Fannie's black cook, Queenie, and her smart-mouthed daughter, Dollbaby, take it upon themselves to initiate Ibby into the ways of the South, both its grand traditions and its darkest secrets.

For Fannie's own family history is fraught with tragedy, hidden behind the closed rooms in her ornate Uptown mansion. It will take Ibby's arrival to begin to unlock the mysteries there. And it will take Queenie and Dollbaby's hard-won wisdom to show Ibby that family can sometimes be found in the least expected places.

For fans of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and The Help, Dollbaby brings to life the charm and unrest of 1960s New Orleans through the eyes of a young girl learning to understand race for the first time.

By turns uplifting and funny, poignant and full of verve, Dollbabyis an audiobook listeners will take to their hearts.

©2014 Laura Lane McNeal (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Narrator sounds juvenile

I actually stopped listening, even though I liked the story! The narrator does some good voices, but the one for the girl sounds like a children’s cartoon voice. And Im afraid her expression when she reads is overdone- again, like it was intended for children. Just couldn’t take it.

loved the narrator...

the story was just okay, however, the versatility of the narrators made it a joy to listen to. Bravo to her!

Excellent novel with an unexpected twist!

What did you love best about Dollbaby?

The bond between Fannie and Queenie - friendship, loyalty and fierce protection of one another.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Queenie is a strong women who loves unconditionally.

Which character – as performed by January Lavoy – was your favorite?

Queenie

If you could rename Dollbaby, what would you call it?

The name fits perfectly.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this story immensely, and after listening while commuting to work, I played it again for my husband and boys while driving to the beach. Everyone loved it - and my boys are hard to entertain with audio books.

simply amazing

I loved this book so very much! I did not see that end coming! this is a book to read and reread!

Loved!!

I was especially drawn toward the characters. The narration was wonderful. There were so many unexpected events. I was sad when I had finished it!

touching

Very gripping and engaging storyline. Easy listening and the narrator has a highly effective voice.

New Orleans 60’s hit

This book reminded me of the Help, The bee keepers and Where the crawdads sing. A good story, well narrated and entertaining.

Thoroughly Enjoyed This Book!

Doll Baby was a good book. Only a couple of things annoyed me or required me to suspend disbelief, but they didn't take too much away from the story. Besides the story was good enough to press through the annoying parts. I'm just now realizing how much I love Southern Fiction. And I must give HUGE PROPS to JANUARY LAVOY! As I was listening, I had to remind myself that there was only ONE READER and not 20! Every character had a distinct and consistent voice and each voice was quite convincing. It is tricky to do the voices of African Americans who speak the language and dialect created by enslaved ancestors without sounding disrespectful or condescending, but she did and EXCELLENT and honorable job. Queenie's voice reminded me so much of people I have known that have long gone, and I just smiled! JL should get 10 stars!

Okay, but not very captivating

The rape scenes were hard to get through, it was an okay book, but not something that I was on the edge of my seat to finish.

Very enjoyable!

I liked the way the book progressed, without linger too long in any one aspect. The narration was excellent, helping me to follow all characters as well as the overall tone of the book. Definitely recommend.