The Same Sky

By: Amanda Eyre Ward

Narrated by: Maria Cabezas, Therese Plummer

Alice and her husband Jake own a barbecue restaurant in Austin, Texas. Hardworking and popular in their community, they have a loving marriage and thriving business, but Alice still feels that something is missing, lying just beyond reach. Carla is a strong-willed young girl who's had to grow up fast, acting as caretaker to her six-year-old brother Junior. Years ago, her mother left the family behind in Honduras to make the arduous, illegal journey to Texas. But when Carla's grandmother dies and violence in the city escalates, Carla takes fate into her own hands - and with Junior, she joins the thousands of children making their way across Mexico to America, facing great peril for the chance at a better life.

In this elegant novel, the lives of Alice and Carla will intersect in a profound and surprising way. Poignant and arresting, The Same Sky is about finding courage through struggle, hope amid heartache, and summoning the strength - no matter what dangers await - to find the place where you belong.

©2015 Amanda Eyre Ward (P)2015 Recorded Books

A beautiful nightmare story of life, immigration & adoption

Beautiful perspective of nightmarish life events of two women and how they connect but never meet. They each save each other.

Thoughtfully written

Enjoyed this book. Not a lot of ‘fluff/filler’, making it a clear parallel storyline to follow.

Heart wrenching & beautiful

I loved this - it’s a tough story but a powerful one - highly recommended. Have tissues handy 🥹

Poignant telling of a migrant’s journey and the pain of infertility.

This was a touching story, in part from the point of view of a child (12 years) who was making her way with her 6 yr old brother toward north America (snd their mother) from Honduras. We often read articles in the paper or online about migrants making their way to America but it’s different hearing it from an individuals point of view, especially a child with no other options. It’s also a story about accepting the reality of our lives and doing the best we can with what we have, as well as about how people can come together to meet one another’s needs and how that can blossom into joy and opportunity. I also appreciated the aspect of the story that addressed not listening to advice or pressure from one’s family, but making decisions for one’s self.

Outstanding!

It is really hard to put into words how I feel about this book. It was so touching and well written. The story line was beautiful and the details were perfect! The story was heartbreaking and at one point I didn’t think I would be able to get though it because it was so sad, but the author graciously left out the perfect amount of detail. I love the strength and determination demonstrated in this story. It is fiction but we all know that this is realistic enough of a story and so much truth to it. It saddens me that things in this story really happen and it is very eye opening. Every human should read this story. The only way to bring change is to know what is happening. We should not be turning a blind eye on the reality of the brutality and neglect to humanity demonstrated in this book. I highly recommend!!!

Great listen

I thought it was a great storyline, a little sad and a little happy and I love the ending

Yikes! What a Bummer

On one hand I'm grateful that this book is a good reminder of how blessed we are in the USA. On the other hand, I prefer my books to be a _PLEASANT_ form of escape, and I certainly don't want to escape into poverty, rape, and horror! This is really a tragic and depressing book, albeit with a somewhat pleasant ending. Real life has enough challenges, so I don't care to read true-to-life stories that are far, FAR worse.

Wonderful - Heartbreaking, Beautiful Writing

Where does The Same Sky rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Tops, as far as the writing went. Not so high in terms of narratation.

Would you be willing to try another one of Maria Cabezas and Therese Plummer ’s performances?

I'm going to stay away from Therese Plummer from now on - I had a hard time with her timing, her character voices, her strangely simpering, child-like inflection. My hope is that she made these choices for this book only, and can unmake these choices for other books and acting gigs in the future.

Maria Cabezas was terrific, and I'd seek her out as a narrator again.

Any additional comments?

I'm never disappointed by Ward's books. They're always complicated, beatifully constructed, and thoughtful.

semi-successful contemporary story

Child's character, Carla, fascinating and compelling especially when in relationship with the renegade guide, however the narrator portrayed her voice in a weak manner that belied her indomitable power. Adult female's story also compelling, especially in relation to her sister and in-laws, however the Austin school and class-difference settings come off as hokey and insensitive. The two-narrator device did not help the under-addressed complex social issues.

Fantastic!

wonderful story artfully told by these artists. I couldn't think of a thing that could be better.