Because she lost a bet, Harriet Beamer is moving across the country to live with her son, but before she settles down, she decides to travel the country by bus. Laural Merlington portrays the plucky 72-year-old in a friendly, open voice as Harriet interacts with a wide variety of people, strangers who become her friends as she inspires them and is in turn inspired to “really live” as she takes the scenic route home. Merlington varies the accents and pacing of the people Harriet meets as she moves across the country and does an especially good Southern drawl. The only weakness is in the transitions between Harriet’s perspective and that of her son, as it takes the listener a moment to realize the scene has shifted since Merlington does not provide a sufficient pause in her narration. E.N. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
Aging and recent widow Harriet Beamer insists she's getting along fine with her dog Humphrey in Philadelphia ... until she falls for the fourth time, injuring her ankle, and causing her son and daughter-in-law to cry foul. Insisting Harriet move in with them in California, they make a bet that her ankle is broken, and she foolishly promises to move if they're right. Four x-rays later, Harriet's ankle-and her heart-are broken. She packs up, ships her huge salt and pepper collection to California, and prepares to move away from the only life she knows. The only catch? She's doing it her way. Just wait till her daughter-in-law hears Harriet will travel cross country only by public transportation and alternate means. What follows is a hilarious, heartwarming journey by train, metro bus, ferry, and motorcycle. Along the way, Harriet discovers that although her family thinks it's time for her to be put out to pasture-God has a different plan.
Aging and recent widow Harriet Beamer insists she's getting along fine with her dog Humphrey in Philadelphia ... until she falls for the fourth time, injuring her ankle, and causing her son and daughter-in-law to cry foul. Insisting Harriet move in with them in California, they make a bet that her ankle is broken, and she foolishly promises to move if they're right. Four x-rays later, Harriet's ankle-and her heart-are broken. She packs up, ships her huge salt and pepper collection to California, and prepares to move away from the only life she knows. The only catch? She's doing it her way. Just wait till her daughter-in-law hears Harriet will travel cross country only by public transportation and alternate means. What follows is a hilarious, heartwarming journey by train, metro bus, ferry, and motorcycle. Along the way, Harriet discovers that although her family thinks it's time for her to be put out to pasture-God has a different plan.
Editorial Reviews
Product Details
BN ID: | 2940172548345 |
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Publisher: | Zondervan |
Publication date: | 04/24/2012 |
Series: | Harriet Beamer |
Edition description: | Unabridged |