Good Kings Bad Kings

By: Susan Nussbaum

Narrated by: Christina Delaine, Lauren Fortgang, Emma Galvin, Alexander Cendese, David Ledoux, Karen Murray, Daya Mendez

Told in alternating perspectives by a varied and vocal cast of characters, Nussbaum pulls back the curtain to reveal the complicated and funny and tough life inside the walls of an institution for juveniles with disabilities. From Yessenia Lopez, who dreams of her next boyfriend and of one day of living outside those walls, to Teddy, a resident who dresses up daily in a full suit and tie, to Mia, who guards a terrifying secret, Nussbaum has crafted a multifaceted portrait of a way of life hidden from most of us.

In this isolated human warehouse on Chicago's South Side, friendships are forged, trust is built, and love affairs begin. And it's in their alliances that the residents ultimately find the strength to bond together and finally fight back against their mistreatment.

Told with humor and authenticity in voices that stay with you long past the last moments, Good Kings Bad Kings is at once strikingly original, baldly funny, and profoundly moving.

Performed by an ensemble cast, with Chris Delaine (Joanne Madsen), Lauren Fortgang (Michelle Volkmann), Emma Galvin (Yessenia Lopez), Alexander Cendese (Teddy Dobbs), David Ledoux (Ricky Hernandez), Karen Murray (Jimmie Kendrick), and Daya Mendez (Mia Oviedo).

©2013 Susan Nussbaum. Recorded by arrangement with Algonquin Books of Chapel hill, a Division of Workman Publishing Company, Inc. (P)2013 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"This is fiction at its best. The story's sharp eye allows no one to take shelter, and it doesn't flinch, it is simply and breathtakingly honest. A stunning accomplishment." (Barbara Kingsolver)

Tough topic, great book

It will make you cry but your understanding will be broadened as well. Great read!

Excellent

Amazing, realistic, heartbreaking and awakening account of institutionalization. must listen for anyone working in nursing homes, group homes or mental institutions

A great start with disappointing results

Would you try another book from Susan Nussbaum and/or the narrators?

Why not?

What was one of the most memorable moments of Good Kings Bad Kings?

The descriptions of the situations the young people were forced into were very good. Since I have worked with children that have challenging behaviors, emotional disabilities and the like, I know about some of these awful experiences.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I appreciated the different accents--although knowing children with cognitive and intellectual disabilities--the words and sentences were so far from what a person would ever hear--if he or she were in a position to converse with the youth.

Could you see Good Kings Bad Kings being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I can't imagine this--no.

Any additional comments?

I wish the author would have continued writing the book with a more indepth look into what was going on in the institution--the one that housed the youth. She had so many different problems coming into focus and then letting them just fade without adequately justifying all the details and hoopla--e.g. the woman with physical disabilities that worked at ILSI--we get to know her so well and understand her role in the story--and then she gets fired and boom--she's gone.

good short listen - offers a unique prospective on

good short listen - offers a unique prospective on living in an institution from every angel. Acept the patents wish would there was more from there pointe of view.

It was great . . . until the abrupt end!

Would you try another book from Susan Nussbaum and/or the narrators?

I loved the narrators -they brought the story to life - they were wonderful! I did like the book - REALLY liked it - until it ended so suddenly. I actually downloaded it from another audio book company, thinking my Audible recording maybe cut out. It did the same thing. Assuming the paper copy ends with chapter 48 and the words, "It was Ricky," then the ending of this book sucked. Like she forgot to remember to finish her thought. Another review said to be prepared to cry at the end . . . but nothing tear worthy at the end of mine. I was SO MAD it ended, but only because it was like in the middle of a thought. I just don't get it. Never been so disappointed in an ending in my life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mia was my favorite. Partly, her narration was excellent, but she also had an interesting story - although not sure what really happened before ILSE, because the book ended too soon.
I actually really liked the way the representative that brought in new kids (name forgotten) progressed through the story, too, until the abrupt end.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

So much LIFE and the ability to understand whose story is whose.

Story enhanced by wonderful audio production

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio selection. The story centers around disabled kids and staff in a nursing home set outside Chicago. The story is compelling, realistic and yet upbeat. Each chapter is narrated from a single point of view and the chapters rotate between different lead characters. The story progresses in a linear fashion but some of the most painful details are revealed after the fact by the speaker in the next chapter. The author reveals the flaws and foibles of the main characters but you love them and root for them anyway. The multi-narrator audio production was top notch. It really enhanced the experience and made the characters that much more real. I will remember this book for a long time to come.

Excellent use of multiple narrators

If you could sum up Good Kings Bad Kings in three words, what would they be?

Social consciousness raising

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the multiple narratives, although this did create an episodic story rather than one that flowed. It does not surprise me that the author is also a playwright. It was almost like listening to a reading of a script by the cast of actors.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

All of the narrators were excellent. It would be difficult to select a favorite character, although I'd say Jessinia and Ricky were especially likable.

A series of unfortunate events

Overall, the performance is wonderful with the voice actors clearly putting all their effort into holding up the story. However even the stellar cast cannot save the lack of plot. The romance subplot felt distant from the story of the kids, and the ensemble cast is not used to the fullest extent it could be by any regard.

Fantastic performances; moving and inspiring story

Where does Good Kings Bad Kings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Because I serve people with developmental disabilities in my professional life, I was intrigued to listen to this award-winning book. Different narrators voice the different characters and do so with the liveliness of actual stage performances. I loved it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Good Kings Bad Kings?

The whole book was well plotted and the little "reveals" about each character were all memorable.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

I have to say I liked them all!

Excellent testimonial style narrative!

Reading this book for a disability studies college course. I really enjoyed it. the characters are wonderfully unique and their stories and relationships are interwoven. I would read this outside of a class setting for sure.