Bebette

De: Joseph Barone

Narrado por: Kathleen Li

Bebette started coming around when Lily Fiore was already too old to indulge in imaginary friendships. First, she showed up only sporadically, and then she became Lily's sole companion.

Lily was almost nine when she discovered she had a very serious blood disease. It upended her life and caused her mother and father to move the family from Reverie to Salvation, NY, where Salvation Children's Hospital resided.

Three years of treatments hadn't yet cured her, and she was twelve now. Her friends from Reverie never came to visit, and she was too sick to go to school in her new town. Since discovering she was sick, Lily even stopped being able to fly in her dreams.

With her young imaginary friend Bebette's help, Lily embarked on a journey to find herself, even if only in the recesses of her own soul.

This novel is existential, accessible, sad, joyous, whimsical, and reflective, all at once. It explores the journey of life, how we should tread, and where we should go.

They say that every journey begins with a single step, but that first step must begin with a question: How will you face the un-mapped roads when you find them? What is your philosophy of life?

©2017 Joseph Barone (P)2018 Joseph Barone

Poignant Fantasy and a Family’s Battle with Illness

Joseph Barone’s simplistic style embraces adult and younger readers. Fusing the reality of fighting childhood cancer and flights of fantasy, Barone weaves an enthralling story about the fight of an entire family trying to stay positive in an impossible situation. The narrator’s soothing voice brings poignance to the story without distracting the listener. Although the book is relatively short, you won’t be left wanting by this different kind of story about battling nightmares with dreams.

Sweet story

This was a sweet story with an overall positive message to focus on each day as a gift. With the trend of mindfulness being so popular lately, this book fits right even and shows you how sometimes the world through a child's eyes is much more mature than the adult view.

The narration by Kathleen Li was fantastic - even singing a part. Slightly different voices were used for different characters, but not so much that it distracted from the story.

Overall, this was an enjoyable listen I would recommend it to those who need a little reminder of hope even when things get tough.