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Wish You Well  By  cover art

Wish You Well

By: David Baldacci
Narrated by: Norma Lana, David Baldacci
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Publisher's summary

It is 1940 and a tragedy sends Lou and her little brother, Oz, along with their invalid mother, from New York City to the rugged mountains of Southwest Virginia to live with their great-grandmother. The story is told with both heartbreaking elegance and large doses of touching humor as the lives of Lou and Oz are changed forever.

The portraits of the land and its people are described with an extraordinary eye for detail, and the story flows through swells of prejudice, innocence, faith, and the question of whether one can ever really wish another well. The climactic courtroom battle is as unpredictable as it is relentless and will not only decide the fates of Lou, Oz, and their mother, but also those they have touched.

©2000 Columbus Rose, Ltd (P)2000 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Richly textured." (Library Journal)
"Baldacci triumphs with his best novel yet, an utterly captivating drama." (Publishers Weekly)

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What listeners say about Wish You Well

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,127
  • 4 Stars
    269
  • 3 Stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    72
  • 2 Stars
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    14

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Awesome

This was one of the best books I've listened to or read. The narrator wasn't the best for the story, but didn't detract from it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Baldacci did it again.

This writer never disappoints. Great story. There is tragedy and drama, but also a lot of love and hope. I loved this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartwarming, Gutwrenching

The story of Louisa Mae Cardinal and her family is one of the most moving books I have read in a long, long time. Set in the 1940's... the book was a historical treasure of references and lifestyle for this family living in the Virginia mountains. Mr. Baldacci is a master storyteller taking me from tears to laughter to many remembrances of my own youth and childhood visits with my grandparents. Excellent writing... magnificent story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Times past

This took me back to my childhood and my grandparents farm in Arkansas.
While the setting is different, some of the characters are very similar.
The reading is done well and the writing is very compelling.
A wonderful novel. I wish we had more.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A wodererfull Read

What did you love best about Wish You Well?

I love Baldacci but this was truly a wonderful stories that was very different but truly great writing. I know more about the mountains of Virgina

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wish You Well?

Of course Amanda's recovery which we all wished for.

Which character – as performed by Norma Lana and David Baldacci – was your favorite?

Don't remember hearing Baldacci's voice except at the end but Lou was the most important but can't forget Diamond

Who was the most memorable character of Wish You Well and why?

Diamond

Any additional comments?

It is definitely worth reading (listening)!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolute FAVORITE Baldacci book!!

I have loved all of Baldacci's books so far, but this one is at the absolute top of my list. A beautiful story of family and history. Baldacci has an incredible way of pulling us, the reader, into the story and scenes as if we're there experiencing it for ourselves. This is a must read!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, well written, good narration.

I love stories like this about the extraordinary in the ordinary, about people with personality and character and about great things in simple things. . We need more tales that inspire as this story has done.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

simply amazing

as a huge Baldacci fan this book was so refreshing. I hope he writes more with this style

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just like Oz, Baldacci knocks it out of the park

Thanks to the author for reaching into the past to show us the goodness available to us with each sunrise. Though there’s adversity, hardship and sorrow aplenty, this story is a beautiful reminder that love never fails and Mercy triumphs over judgment.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unexpectedly awesome!

I read or listen to books of SiFy or detectives or history fiction. So I was not expecting this one to be such a brilliant pice of art! It grip me from the start and didn't let go! I recommend this to anyone.

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