The Picasso Project

By: Carol Anne Shaw

Narrated by: Jocelyn Duford

When you live in your car the way 18-year-old Eddie and his sister, Maya, do, the rules are pretty simple: lay low, trust no one, and make sure you have plenty of duct tape on hand. But Maya is growing up fast. She's forgetting how to play the game, and Eddie is finding it harder and harder to keep them both safe from the outside world. When their lives suddenly become complicated through a mistake Maya makes, Eddie begins to lose his composure. And why wouldn't he? He hasn't had time to address his own emotional wounds. He's been too busy looking out for his sister. But even in the worst of times, even when you think you've hit rock bottom, there is always hope. Told in the third-person, present tense, along with first-person excerpts from the pages of Eddie's sketchbook/journal, THE PICASSO PROJECT is a novel about strength, courage, and vulnerability. Ultimately, it shows us what can happen when you finally own your past, let it go, and open yourself up to possibility.

©2019 Carol Anne Shaw (P)2024 Carol Anne Shaw

I loved this story!

This is a beautifully crafted story that delves deep into the lives of Eddie and Maya, siblings struggling to survive in their car. This novel, narrated with exceptional skill by Jocelyn, captivates with its rich character development and poignant narrative. Jocelyn's seamless transition between characters and her enchanting voice add an extra layer of depth to the storytelling. The story's exploration of strength, vulnerability, and the journey towards self-acceptance is both moving and inspiring. Highly recommended for its emotional depth and superb narration. A must-listen for those who appreciate stories of resilience and hope.

Bravo!

This is a new author for me, and a new narrator. First the story; it was well written, and had a lot of depth. I found myself edgy while listening, fearful of the things that Eddie and his sister had to deal with. I also liked Jasmine character who was able to really refocus the story which also helped Eddie realize he wasn’t alone. Bravo.
The narrator: When I listen to a story, I need to be able to like the narrator. Your voice, the way they change characters. Even the way they breathe is important to me. It’s hard to listen to a story if you can’t listen to the narrator. Jocelyn went so quickly from one character to the other, and did an excellent job of bringing you through the story, her voice is magical.

In other words buy the book. Listen to it and share it with your friends bravo

A heartbreakingly beautiful coming of age story!

This book has some trigger warnings needed, SA and PA. It shows how vulnerable homeless children are. It also shows the resilience of the spirit and how people can overcome amazingly difficult things. I loved Eddie and how hard he worked to care for his sister Mia. He tried so hard. But there will always be bullies and Eddie and Mia face many in this book.
They also face people who give them hope, friendship and ultimately love. It's a great example of the arch of the universe bending toward justice.
The author uses quotes from Picasso throughout the book which I found delightful. I never knew Picasso said so many deep things. The book is well-written and read beautifully by the narrator. It kept my interest from start to finish. It was ultimately heartwarming, but you had to earn the ending. A good book which I highly recommend!