Queen Sugar

A Novel

By: Natalie Baszile

Narrated by: Miriam Hyman

Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

A mother-daughter story of reinvention - about an African American woman who unexpectedly inherits a sugarcane farm in Louisiana.

Why exactly Charley Bordelon's late father left her 800 sprawling acres of sugarcane land in rural Louisiana is as mysterious as it was generous. Recognizing this as a chance to start over, Charley and her 11-year-old daughter, Micah, say good-bye to Los Angeles.

They arrive just in time for growing season but no amount of planning can prepare Charley for a Louisiana that's mired in the past: as her judgmental but big-hearted grandmother tells her, cane farming is always going to be a white man's business. As the sweltering summer unfolds, Charley must balance the overwhelming challenges of her farm with the demands of a homesick daughter, a bitter and troubled brother, and the startling desires of her own heart.

Penguin has a rich tradition of publishing strong Southern debut fiction - from Sue Monk Kidd to Kathryn Stockett to Beth Hoffman. In Queen Sugar, we now have a debut from the African American point of view. Stirring in its storytelling of one woman against the odds and intimate in its exploration of the complexities of contemporary southern life, Queen Sugar is an unforgettable tale of endurance and hope.

©2014 Natalie Baszile; 2014 Penguin Audio

Queen Sugar

I loved it!!! I could picture each character and didn't want it to end would recommend to everyone!

What a pleasure to listen to

I want to lead character and the narrator to be my best friend. I related to all the issues, the difficulties and I am so glad the writer stayed away from the old familiar themes of the south, where the villain is always white and the victim always black. I love the complexity fo the characters and the strong black female lead! Thank you for writing this and for the excellent performance.

Queen Sugar Shows Life Not So Sweet

I got this book because I really enjoy the TV series Queen Sugar on OWN. The book and the TV show while similar, I noticed a big difference in the lives of the characters. This initially threw me off because I was confused by characters in the book who were not in the TV show and vice versa. After awhile I recognized that the book stood on it's own separate from the TV show so I enjoyed it better. I learned farm life is not easy and when you add sibling rivalry it gets worse. This slice of life taught this city dweller a few things about life in the Louisiana sugar cane fields. I recommend it to fans of the TV show to gain a better understanding of the title.

what an intriguing story

I loved this story. It was nice to listen to a book situated in my neck of the woods talking about a culture I'm so familiar with but so very seldom written about. The characters were complicated with problems that needed solving in only Creole and Cajuns can in this culture. The plot was well executed and kept my interest from beginning to end.

Loved it!

Loved it! I really enjoyed reading this book. From the beginning to the end, it drew me in. I had to keep teading (listening)!

Great story and narrator

I loved the story for the most part, I felt that the ending fell flat, but I would listen to it again. The narrator did an amazing job, and I can't wait to find more books she reads.

Something different!

This was a great book! I really liked the main character Charley. She is tough and resilient. I love novels based in the South but Queen Sugar is not sugary sweet. Charley takes on a difficult task and digs in with courage and determination. Her family is full of drama but plenty of LOVE is there, despite the sadness. This is a solid credit worthy listen!

Excellent reader!

Miriam Hyman was superb! Each character was distinct. I look forward to listening to hearing more!

Every Character Unforgettable

Every Character was made Unforgettable by the narrative expression Miriam Hyman infused them with, allowing the full depth of each be revealed.

Great book!!

Enjoyed this audio book completely. Truly fulfilled the statement: "The pictures are in your mind"!!