Our Little World

A Novel

By: Karen Winn

Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

"I was intrigued by Our Little World from the chilling first paragraph. It's a coming-of-age novel complicated by a tragic and untimely death, and it's also a novel about two sisters you will never forget. I fell in love with the confidence of the writing and the colorful nostalgia of the mid-'80s details. Our Little World will transport and transfix you."—Elin Hilderbrand

July 1985. It’s a normal, sweltering New Jersey summer for soon-to-be seventh grader Bee Kocsis. Her thoughts center only on sunny days spent at Deer Chase Lake, on evenings chasing fireflies around her cul-de-sac with the neighborhood kids, and on Max, the boy who just moved in across the street. There's also the burgeoning worry that she'll never be as special as her younger sister, Audrina, who seems to effortlessly dazzle wherever she goes.

But when Max’s little sister, Sally, goes missing at the lake, Bee’s long-held illusion of stability is shattered in an instant. As the families in her close-knit community turn inward, suspicious and protective, things in Bee’s own home become increasingly strained, most of all with Audrina, when a shameful secret surfaces. With everything changed, Bee and Audrina’s already-fraught sisterhood is pushed to the limit as they grow up—and apart—in the wake of an innocence lost too soon.

Perfect for listeners of Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You, Our Little World is a powerful and lyrical coming-of-age story that examines the complicated bond of sisterhood, the corrosive power of envy, and how the traumas of our youths can shape our identities for a lifetime.

©2022 Karen Winn (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

A Bustle, CrimeReads, and Book Riot most anticipated book

“Our Little World is a poignant and immersive snapshot of small town America at a particular moment in time. As the eldest of three sisters I was completely captivated by this story about the bonds of sisterhood, and how they endure. I loved it.”—Mary Beth Keane, New York Times bestselling author of Ask Again, Yes

"Wow, wow, wow! I was utterly transported by this intriguing novel. Set against a colorful 80s backdrop, this coming-of-age story will have you flying through the pages as it explores that most complicated of all relationships, sisterhood. Several times I had to remind myself to breathe! With tragedy, secrets and twists and turns, this book will have you captivated from the first page.”—Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Sister

"Winn’s debut brilliantly depicts the familiar tale of a shaken East Coast community through a coming-of-age lens.... A story of sisterhood and the haunting nature of loss for readers of Celeste Ng and Kristen Bird.” —Booklist

Too simple and long

I found this to be a very boring book and I’m annoyed I listened to the whole thing.

Small town-trauma in the 80s

This book has so much going on and is told from one of the young sisters.

I will not spoil it but it was well told, well written and you feel like you are in this small town and in the family.

Like a boring Lifetime movie

Very boring. Simplistic writing. Practically no plot ant I need to say more in order to have review accepted. Just bad