No One Ever Asked

A Novel

By: Katie Ganshert

Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

Challenging perceptions of discrimination and prejudice, this emotionally resonant drama for listeners of Lisa Wingate and Jodi Picoult explores three different women navigating challenges in a changing school district - and in their lives.

Winner of the Christy Award.

When an impoverished school district loses its accreditation and the affluent community of Crystal Ridge has no choice but to open their school doors, the lives of three very different women converge: Camille Gray - the wife of an executive, mother of three, long-standing PTA chairwoman, and champion fund-raiser - faced with a shocking discovery that threatens to tear her picture-perfect world apart at the seams; Jen Covington, the career nurse whose long, painful journey to motherhood finally resulted in adoption, but she is struggling with a happily ever after so much harder than she anticipated. Twenty-two-year-old Anaya Jones - the first woman in her family to graduate college and a brand-new teacher at Crystal Ridge's top elementary school, unprepared for the powder-keg situation she's stepped into. Tensions rise within and without, culminating in an unforeseen event that impacts them all. 

This story explores the implicit biases impacting American society and asks the ultimate question: What does it mean to be human? Why are we so quick to put labels on each other and categorize people as "this" or "that" when such complexity exists in each person?

©2018 Katie Ganshert (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

“Humble. Powerful. Awakening. No One Ever Asked unapologetically invites its reader into a journey of historical significance and soul discovery. A trek which, once taken, you won’t come back from.” (Mary Weber, author of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow)

“Emotionally resonant and brimming with hope, No One Ever Asked is an intimate portrayal of a community in chaos. As Katie Ganshert employs alternating perspectives and vastly different viewpoints, she dives deep into fraught themes of race, adoption, social justice, infidelity, friendship, and more. This gripping story is written with sensitivity and grace, and it will stay with readers long after the final page is turned.... A heart-changing, transformative work!” (Nicole Baart, author of Little Broken Things)

“No One Ever Asked is that rare breed of story that lingers in your heart and mind long after the final page is turned.... Gut wrenching and achingly authentic, this story lays bare the profound intricacies of racial tension. Katie Ganshert is a gifted wordsmith with an uncanny ability to elicit the emotions her characters are experiencing in the reader. This evocative and incisive human drama will not leave you unmoved - a cautionary tale infused with hope. With a handful of stellar novels already to her credit, Ganshert has raised the bar once again. No One Ever Asked has my highest recommendation.” (Rel Mollet, relzreviewz.com)

Thought Provoking

As a Believer, I would love to think I do not have prejudice...but the reality is we have no idea what we don’t know. This book allowed me insight in a way I’ve never been offered and for that I am grateful. Thankful for Jesus and His redeeming power...and for authors who aren’t afraid to put word to paper to say hard things.

Surprising and enlightening

I came into this book with high expectations and I was not disappointed. Katie Ganshert delivered. And then some. This exploration of racism in midwestern America is as complex as the actual problem. No one explanation catches the full scope of the issue. The emotions explored and laid bare for intense scrutiny run the gamut if the human experience. Very well written. It will stick with you long after you hear the last word. The narrator was excellent as well. Her emotions put me in the heart of the characters interactions. I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about the future of the human race.

Every one could benefit from reading this book

I was really skeptical about this book because of the genre, but I honestly learned a lot about myself in the process of listening . The characters are all flawed and secretly battling with their emotions/feelings behind closed doors. It is a great book for looking at the way we pass judgement on others. A book about walking a mile in someone else's shoes. It really makes you search your heart and a great lesson on empathy.

great book

enjoyed this book. it's very relavent to todays troubles the sad reality of 2018 is that it is still to much in for front of today stop teaching hate start teaching love

We All Need This

This is the book that we all need right now in a country so deeply divided on issues of race. Do you want to grow to be a part of the change we so desperately need? ThIs book is for you. As a white mother of two black children, I am forever seeking to learn from those who experience life as a person of color that I might better care for my children. I so appreciated the ways the author vividly portrayed each character; you can’t help but feel their feelings and understand their wrestlings even if you’ve not shared their life experiences. I am wholeheartedly recommending this to everyone I know and am confident it is a book that will change lives.

Being aware of privilege

Takes courage for people with power and privilege to discuss issues of race. So many great issues brought to life. I dare you to listen

Necessary story for our times.

This book gives insight into the complexity of racism in America. It eloquently describes how overcoming our past is not an easy or simple fix. I appreciated the author’s ability to not make anyone the simple “bad” guy but that we all have things going on in our lives that contribute to our reactions and that we need to take the time to listen and learn from one another. If you are beginning your journey into race relations in America this book is a great place to start.

Loved this book for many reasons!

I was not sure what to expect with this book, and at the beginning, it was a little confusing to distinguish between the characters...but stick with it, because it's a story that needs to be shared. First, I work in St. Louis and recall the district accreditation issues, although I was not closely involved. Very insightful. Second, I am an adoptive mother of older children (one is biracial) and sooooo appreciate the author's honest depiction of being an adoptive mother. It's like she researched my very own journals. :) And finally, I believe that we need to keep sharing these stories to really change racism in our country. It's not magical, but it's a start. Definitely worth a read, or listen!

Great book to show many perspectives of race in America!

Loved this story! While it was really confusing to follow all the different characters at first, this story came together beautifully! Thank you katie Katie Ganshert for writing an awesome story and showing how even the most resistant heart can learn about their own prejudice! I pray for this world we live in and we can understand each other better!

important topic

this book was engaging and so well delivered. it was a departure from the author's usual topics and left me with a lot to ponder and implement in my life. highly recommend.

I loved this book

This is book needs to be read or listened to. The subject matters are important and very well done. The storyline, the characters and conversations are painfully realistic. I am an avid reader and very rarely find books worthy of a review

Educational

I listened to this book as part of the happy hour with Jamie Ivey summer book club and really enjoyed it. It tackled topics such as racial bias, adoption, marriage, grief to name a few and gave great insight into them. It is an eye opener to the kind of racism society seems to be blind to. Really recommend to anybody, an enjoyable read/listen and the narrator was great