Far From the Tree

By: Virginia DeBerry, Donna Grant

Narrated by: Fran L. Washington

Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Celeste English and Ronnie Frazier are sisters, but they couldn't be more different. Celeste is a doctor's wife, living a perfect and elegant façade. But secretly, her marriage is falling apart and her need to control people around her threatens to destroy them all. Ronnie is an actress, living in New York. But she has no money, she has no home, and her life is held together by "chewing gum, paper clips, and spit." When their father dies, the sisters inherit a house in Prosper, North Carolina. Their mother, Della, would rather they forget about going there and dredging up the past. Neither of them suspect that their trip to Prosper will uncover decades-old secrets, family betrayals, and tangled relationships - or that it will make these two strangers realize that they are, and always will be, sisters.

©2004 Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Pretty good

The story started slow, but it improved as I kept listening so stick with it!

Great Literature

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story, characters and narration were all perfect. The themes and characters were well explored and developed, and overall the book was deep and thought-provoking.

Totally engaging

Loved the characters and the story. Touching but real. Characters very engaging. Narration excellent. I feel like moving to South Carolina. Made me think about a few things too in terms of why we do the things we do. Read this book.

Outstanding!!!!!!

It was a very good story Della's finally telling her daughters about her life as a child was most important in having the family come together. Celeste was fortunate to finally acknowledge her pretentious life... I thought Della would let the Nikki and Celeste know that her mom Annie was a "successful caterer/ chef!!!

I lovvvvvve it.

This story was wonderfully written. I fell in love with each character. This is one of their best books.

Drawn out

I had a long flight so the credit wasn’t wasted however the story was very long and drawn out. Not their best work but not the worse.

Captivated but constantly annoyed

How can a story be so captivating and yet, annoying at the same time? I loved the writing and clever play on words. The author has a unique voice that can give details about something obscure in the middle of something rich and significant without losing you.

I am not a violent person, but I just wanted to choke some of these characters, just until they would just stop talking then I would let them breathe again. I think that this is a book for reading rather than listening. The reader could give life to the characters on their own. The pitchy, whiny interpretation by the narrator got on my last nerves. I get that the story sketched out a few versions of a dissatisfied woman, and some nagging would play, but it was too much, I needed an aspirin after each chapter. Peace!

Moving!!!

A very emotional moving story. I was sucked in from the beginning until the very end. I didn't want the story to end!!!

Loved this book

I loved everything about this book. I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want the story to end.

My new Favorite Book...I didn't want it to End!

I loved the story line and Della finding joy that appeared to give her daughters permission .