Upstate

By: Kalisha Buckhanon

Narrated by: Chadwick Boseman, Heather Simms

This program is read by Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman

"Baby, the first thing I need to know from you is, do you believe I killed my father?"

So begins Upstate, a powerful story told through letters between 17-year-old Antonio and his 16-year-old girlfriend, Natasha, set in the 1990's in New York.

Antonio and Natasha's world is turned upside down, and their young love is put to the test, when Antonio finds himself in jail, accused of a shocking crime. Antonio fights to stay alive on the inside, while on the outside, Natasha faces choices that will change her life. Over the course of a decade, they share a desperate correspondence. Often, they have only each other to turn to as life takes them down separate paths and leaves them wondering if they will ever find their way back together.

Startling, real, and filled with raw emotion, Upstate is an unforgettable coming-of-age story with a message of undeniable hope. Brilliant and profoundly felt, it is destined to speak to a new generation of listeners.

©2005 Kalisha Buckhanon (P)2005 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

• 2006 Alex Award Winner
• 2005 Audie Award Winner, Literary Fiction

"A moving, uplifting story of love and hope in the face of adversity." (Publishers Weekly)

Needs a movie adaption

I was first drawn in by the fact that Chadwick Boseman voiced the character Antonio. Boseman has a good eye when it comes to picking out roles to take so I thought i should give it a chance. And I'm glad I did. I finished this story in about 10 hours since I started to listen last night because I couldn't sleep. Anyway, this story of coming of age black love needs to be seen on the big screen. I know in today's climate of "black excellence" a story about a young black boy being sent off to jail is not exactly "marketable" but people need to realize that this story is more than that. It is about two individuals who are minorities who are both put into unfortunate circumstances and going through the motions of transitioning through becoming adults, although their journeys are very different from one another. This story brought tears to my eyes at the love the two major characters had for one another and I NEED to see this on the big screen one day! Thanks Kalisha for such a beautiful piece of literature. Much love.

strange but good

I started this book and was upset I got it. The format is strange at first, but it grows on you. It is two teenagers writing letters to one another and it follows them through growing up under some tough circumstances. It grows on you, the story grabs you, and after this, you will like it. It is a good book.

Wonderful story

This book is one of my favorites. I listened to it several years ago and have gone back to it several times. I recommend it to everyone. The narrator does a terrific job of making you believe you are hearing the characters read the letters. Don't miss this one.

Good!!

Beautiful, sad, wonderful. This book was well written and captivating. The ending was sad but realistic.

wonderful performance

My teenage daughter and I both loved this book.

Highly Recommended...

What can I say that hasn't been said already? The writing format that the author chose made me feel as if I were sneaking a peak into their personal lives. I felt all of the emotions that both characters presented in their letters to one another. Upstate provided a good example of how young love starts and develops into a mature loving relationship. I hated for the book to end, it was very entertaining.

This is so good

I loved this! Omg! It had me captured! Beautiful oh my! I gotta rehear this again.

Captivating!

A story of parallel lives from two different people in the form of letters to one another. I could not stop listening.

Emotional and explosive

Loved it! I cried several times! It was intense, emotional and heart breaking..nevertheless, reality! I truly enjoyed this book!

Captivating

Loved it and was captivated by the story. The Narrators did an excellent job, was able to re-live the characters lives through their letters. #RIP ChadwickBoseman