Tisoy

By: Bernice McFadden

Narrated by: Ron Domingo

From Bernice L. McFadden, one of the most cherished voices in contemporary fiction, comes a dramatic family saga spanning two generations of one mixed-race family during the second half of the 20th century.

When we meet Joseph Patrick, he’s in the midst of a classic midlife crisis. After dropping an obscene amount of money on a luxury watch — and leaving his wallet at the store — Joseph hops into a rented Porsche and takes off across the desert. He no sooner hits the open road than a coyote darts in front of the speeding car, wrecking it and leaving Joseph stranded in the heat, with no cell phone service — and no ID. The sight of the dying coyote sparks a memory that transports Joseph back to his childhood in rural Pennsylvania, shifting the story to the not-so-distant past, where the young Patrick family must navigate small-town attitudes about race and interracial marriage all while trying to rise into the American middle class.

Vividly told and by turns profoundly moving and darkly funny, Tisoy is an Audible Original Story about race, family, identity, and ambition. With a pitch-perfect performance from Ron Domingo (Law and Order: SVU), Tisoy examines the unwritten rules of the American Dream, the ones we’re forced to follow and the ones we must break.

©2021 Bernice McFadden (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

good quick read

i didn't really care about any of the characters - had to listen at a higher speed to get through it. great ending though

This should be a Fable

this is amazing story about karma.
performed well, told exceptionally.
everyone should read this story

all over the place

the story is ok, but it's all over the place. makes following the intertwined stories difficult.

Well written, captivating short story

Great character development and overall story about a man and his family history. Loved the satirical humor and irony of the ending. Racism is and was part of reality and history. It’s confusing to me that people reading this could take it so personally get offended. I thought the author painted a great picture of how it might have been growing up in America at that time.

Eyeopener!!! Warning: contains toxic ideas!!

The book illustrates how horribly racist people could be! Whether college educated or not, the skin color does not matter, people will treat other people as inferiors because of what information was passed on to them by their parents, schools or other institutions that not only promote naiveté but ignorance as well. Despite the realistic presentation of stereotypes, these ideas should be openly discussed so that progress can be made to stop these racist ideas and for people to change their attitudes.
As an American with Asian roots, it’s appalling how cruel people treat each other, not only on the basis of skin color but on heritage as well.

Poignant

Biases on all accounts by a variety of cultures woven into an intriguing and suspenseful story. I am going to look for other books by this author.

Thought provoking

Difficult to listen to at times, but apt explanation of racial "blindness" even when being in one minority should cause empathy and understanding for others but doesn't always work that way. it also portrays how racism spreads from one generation to the next.

eye opening

listening to the stereotypes and racism in this book is sad because it's true

The perfect short story!

This was another captivating story from the great Bernice L. McFadden! The story was well written and the narrator was awesome. Kudos! Great job all around!

More of this, please

As a Filipino, it's always fascinating to encounter stories that touch upon our culture in world literature platforms like this one. It's interesting to learn of how racism could be ingrained into an immigrant being raised in the diaspora. Thank you for this nicely written (and narrated) and symbolic story. More, please. Salamat.