Tell the Wolves I’m Home

A Novel

By: Carol Rifka Brunt

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

In this striking literary debut, Carol Rifka Brunt unfolds a moving story of love, grief, and renewal as two lonely people become the unlikeliest of friends and find that sometimes you don’t know you’ve lost someone until you’ve found them.

1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life - someone who will help her to heal and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.

An emotionally charged coming-of-age novel, Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a tender story of love lost and found, an unforgettable portrait of the way compassion can make us whole again.

Carol Rifka Brunt’s work has appeared in several literary journals, including the North American Review and the Sun. In 2006 she was one of three fiction writers who received a New Writing Ventures Award, and in 2007 she received a generous Arts Council England grant to write Tell the Wolves I’m Home, her first novel. Originally from New York, she currently lives in England with her husband and three children.

©2012 Carol Silverman (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A gorgeously evocative novel about love, loss, and the ragged mysteries of the human heart, all filtered through the achingly real voice of a remarkable young heroine. How can you not fall in love with a book that shows you how hope can make a difference?” (Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author)

“Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a charming, sure-handed, and deeply sympathetic debut. Brunt writes about family, adolescence, and the human heart with great candor, insight, and pathos.” (Jonathan Evison, New York Times bestselling author)

“Tremendously moving…Brunt strikes a difficult balance, imbuing June with the disarming candor of a child and the melancholy wisdom of a heart-scarred adult.” ( Wall Street Journal)

I'm 14 again!

Excellent narration of a moving and compelling story. The main character completely captured me. She's ageless.

Heartbreaking and sensitive

I can't believe this book had any negative reviews! Even though already in my library, I nostalgically went back to read the reviews when popped up as a "Daily Deal" . Yes, some may find it hard to relate to the protoganist as her stance was unusual, but I found she gave me a different angle on the victims of AIDS. Those left behind, and those coming of age during that time. Beautiful layers, empathy. I don't remember having problems with the narrator, either. Some novels I have been unable ro finish and had to have refunded - "Witches on the Road Tonight", Kim Basinger in "The Awakening" come to mind (ugh). This one however was one of the ones in a library of almost 200 titles that touched me the most. So much so, I felt like I had to go back and give my two cents, in defense of this novel (I rarely WRITE out reviews.)

Terrible Narrator

Worst. Narrator. Ever. Had a hard time following and enjoying the story due to the narrators voice.

A picture is worth a million words

Would you listen to Tell the Wolves I’m Home again? Why?

Tell the Wolves I'm Home was very interesting and an easy listen but, I'm undecided on if I would listen to it again. The narrators voice seemed very electronic and flat at times which really threw me off at times. Perhaps I would read the book though.

What other book might you compare Tell the Wolves I’m Home to and why?

I could not compare this story with any other that I have read personally.

Did Amy Rubinate do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, when it came to the characters Amy Rubinate performed awesomely at making each character his or her own. However the generic narration would be a bit flat and monotone at times, it sounded like a operator recording.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Love Against All Odds

Interesting but odd

I had no trouble finishing this but don't know if I could recommend it to others. It is a story of relationships, deep and true and unlikely and sometimes, inappropriate.

Truly excellent and the narrator is superb

I was so sorry when this book ended! I intend to find more books narrated by Amy Rubinate. She is excellent.

Good--but I wanted Wonderful

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I bought the book because I thought the concept intriguing. I liked it--but I didn't love it.

Would you recommend Tell the Wolves I’m Home to your friends? Why or why not?

I have a segment of friends that might enjoy this novel as much, or perhaps more than I did. And another segment that I would not recommend this book to at all.

What aspect of Amy Rubinate’s performance would you have changed?

She did a good job.

Was Tell the Wolves I’m Home worth the listening time?

yes.

The narrator annoyed me

Would you try another book from Carol Rifka Brunt and/or Amy Rubinate?

I enjoyed the story, but the narrator didn't add the richness they usually do. I was into the story enough to keep listening, but her voice and performance didn't add to the story at all.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the flashbacks the story brought to a time in my life when it was first touched by AIDS and the panic it brought when mentioned. I thought it was a complex story with the potential for strong, defined characters, but I think the writer missed an opportunity and the narrator's whininess left me wishing for someone else performing.

Touching story.

A journey of growth and adolescent development that captured the dark side in all of us. Worth a read particularly if you are a lover of the arts.

wonderful story

I thought this was a wonderful story. Very heartwarming. And the narrator was great too.