Bernarda's Daughters

By: Diane Exavier

Narrated by: Amara Brady, Jasmin Walker, Lorraine Toussaint, Malika Samuel, MaYaa Boateng, Zenzi Williams

Length: 1 hr and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

It’s a sweltering summer in Flatbush. In a neighborhood overrun by wrecking crews and new construction, the five Abellard sisters take refuge in their family home. In spite of their jovial, teasing conversations, the sisters are mourning the death of their father and the changing neighborhood. Each of them is also confronting personal losses of their youth and their dreams for the future. Inspired by the classic play House of Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca, but bracingly contemporary, Bernarda’s Daughters confronts issues of class, race, gentrification, and where a woman’s place is in a rapidly changing world. Drenched in sparkling, witty dialog, Bernarda’s Daughters is a thrilling, engrossing exploration of a family at a crossroads.

Creative Producer: The New Group

Portions of this audiobook contain mature language. Listener discretion is advised.

©2021 Diane Exavier (P)2021 AO Media LLC

Unappealing

To much racist/bigot commentary. To much sexist commentary. I couldn’t even finish the story. The reading was well. Nice voice for each character. Just couldn’t get past the distasteful comments on other nationalities and men.

Sisterhood at its finest.

What else are you supposed to do when your father passes away and your mother takes him back to Haiti to bury him? When you find out that your father had a lot more secrets than you realized?
The harsh realities we sometimes blind ourselves too always catch up with us eventually. We know our parents aren’t perfect. We know they have flaws. To know they aren’t what we thought they were, makes it hard to accept the things they’ve done. But it isn’t on us to carry that burden. It’s up to us to change it - change the cycle. And we have that freedom to do so.

A Taste of Brooklyn and Haiti

As I listened to this incredible play, Bernarda’s Daughters, it felt like I was having a conversation with my family members on a house stoop on a summer Brooklyn day. The references of East Flatbush, Caribbean expectations, and gentrification really brought light to the complexities of changing Brooklyn. What a refreshing listen it was!

Captivating

The performances were so passionate and really brought you to the place where the story brought you to. The desperation of just trying to survive and the things the mind becomes acceptable of are scary and true.

I gave it a chance

Started off with a lot of Racism . Gave it a chance. Wasn’t impressed. Story line was just ok. Glad it was free.

Sorry. What a culture

These people are wieners and complainers. Their own family sold their home from under them and they angry at other people. It’s pathetic.