A Quiet Life

A Novel

By: Ethan Joella

Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski, Melissa Redmond, Byron Wagner

From the author of A Little Hope—a Read with Jenna Bonus Pick—comes another “heartwarming, character-driven” (Booklist) life-affirming novel about three individuals whose lives intersect in unforeseen ways.

Set in a close-knit suburb in the grip of winter, A Quiet Life follows three people grappling with loss and finding a tender wisdom in their grief.

Chuck Ayers used to look forward to nothing so much as his annual trip to Hilton Head with his wife, Cat—that yearly taste of relaxation they’d become accustomed to after a lifetime of working and raising two children. Now, just months after Cat’s death, Chuck finds that he can’t let go of her belongings—her favorite towel, the sketchbooks in her desk drawer—as he struggles to pack for a trip he can’t imagine taking without her.

Ella Burke delivers morning newspapers and works at a bridal shop to fill her days while she anxiously awaits news—any piece of information—about her missing daughter. Ella adjusts to life in a new apartment and answers every call on her phone, hoping her daughter will reach out.

After the sudden death of her father, Kirsten Bonato set aside her veterinary school aspirations, finding comfort in the steady routine of working at an animal shelter. But as time passes, old dreams and new romantic interests begin to surface—and Kirsten finds herself at another crossroads.

In this beautiful and profoundly moving novel, three parallel narratives converge in poignant and unexpected ways, as each character bravely presses onward, trying to recover something they have lost. Emotionally riveting and infused with hope, “the soothing tone and warm worldview of this grown-up bedtime story will be good for what ails you” (Kirkus Reviews).

Critic reviews

"In this novel narrators Stacey Glemboski, Michelle Redmond, and Byron Wagner present interwoven stories of loss and grief in suburban Pennsylvania. The featured characters are elderly Chuck, single mom Ella, and young Kirsten, who is launching into adulthood. Each chapter reveals their experiences of immeasurable sorrow, taking us on a journey through a time and place. Wagner does an especially respectable job of narrating Chuck’s chapters. The characters’ stories reinforce the age-old beliefs that the world is small, we are all connected, and being kind will get us through."

Multiple storylines

It was good. I had to restart because I was initially confused with all the different storylines but about 1/4 way in it all came together. Good characters and a good ending.

Not so Quiet

Loved how all the characters lives are connected and the compassion and care for each other without prejudice of age and gender. Such a beautiful story.

Wonderful

This is such a lovely, heartfelt and emotional story. Three individuals dealing with deep emotional loss of different causes, and how they help each other to find healing in small but significant ways. Especially wonderful narration by Stacey Glemboski.

Three sad stories, that end happy.

I liked this book even though it was slow going and sad throughout! I would have even given it a 4 star but I’m never ok with characters who sleep together on their first date and after weeks of this, call it love. What the character Chuck had was love.

Easy to Listen

Enjoyed the book, easy to listen to. Good story lines. Recommend to a broad audience.