Who She Is

By: Diane Byington

Narrated by: Melora Kordos

In the fall of 1967, Faye Smith’s family moves to Florida to work in the orange groves, and she has to start a new school...again. She tries out for the track team, knowing her mother would never approve because of Faye’s epilepsy.

When Faye discovers she has a talent for distance running, she and her friend Francie decide to enter the Boston Marathon, even though women aren’t allowed to compete. Desperate to climb out of the rut of poverty, Faye is determined to take part and win a college scholarship.

After the school bully tries to run her down with his car, a strange memory surfaces - a scene Faye doesn’t recognize. Her parents insist that it’s a symptom of her epilepsy, but Faye thinks they might be lying, especially when it keeps happening. To get her life on the right path, she’ll need to figure out what her parents are hiding and never lose sight of the finish line.

©2018 Diane Byington (P)2019 Diane Byington

Finding Faye

Who She Is
: Diane Byington

This novel set in the late 1960's has two plot lines that circle each other before they intertwine. Faye is the fifteen year old daughter of migrant workers. Because of this they move often. She doesn't allow herself to form real friendships so when the family moves on it won't hurt so much.

When they end up in Florida, Faye begins to discover who she is and where she hopes to go. However she breaks her own rule when she becomes friends with Francie, another girl that likes to run almost as much as Faye.

The listener is taken to a time of racism, where it is dangerous for a black coach to run with white girl athletes. Girls and women are prohibited from participating in high school track meets or as officially timed runners in the Boston Marathon.

The story is well developed and the characters are quite believable. The epilogue seemed a bit forced, but other than that very enjoyable listen.



The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Melora Kordos brought the characters to life.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

1960s struggle for identity in more ways than one

Faye wants to run, but young women aren't supposed to run. Faye wants to climb out of poverty and anonymity, but her parents want her to stay there. Faye has memories of cake, flowers, and hugs, but her life has no remnants of any such nonsense. My attention was held by Faye's story, and especially by her grit and determination, and I was intrigued by the inconsistencies she continually pondered concerning her identity. The running sequences were perfectly conveyed, particularly (spoiler alert!!) the end of the Boston Marathon. As a runner (who will likely never qualify for Boston), I've read innumerable articles about the run, but when the story line hovered aside the race course, I felt more like I was there than I ever had from any article. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review, and I have no regrets for the time I spent listening. In the end, though, I wasn't quite sure what the author's goal had been. But as a woman, I'm where I am because Faye and women like her didn't take no for an answer, so I'm happy to tip my head in respect.

An enjoyable listen

I quite enjoyed listening to this book. I would listen or read another book by this author. I thought the characters were believable and I could understand why they made the decisions that they did. I thought the twist was predictable and I definitely knew it was coming. I just didn't know the reasons behind it. I liked the ending of the story. I am sure others would enjoy listening to it as well. I would recommend it to others. I liked the narrator and though she did a good job at bringing the characters to life.

Engaging Novel

I just loved this 1960s-set story about girls who run! It's also about courage and friendship and family. The narration was spot-on, not distracting. I listened while I ran, actually. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Who is she

This book was set in the 1960's it was about a fifteen year old girl and her determination to run on the high school track team which wasn't allowed by the school or her family. This was a good book and narration was excellent. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Loved everything - except the epilogue

I loved this story so much! You know early on that this story is set in the 60's. Misogyny and racism were front and center. In the midst of it all, we have two young girls daring to do the impossible - run the Boston Marathon. The crazy that unfolds leading up to the big event and Faye's history with that city was worth the nearly 10 hours to get there.

The epilogue was a tad uninspiring. The time jump 40 years just left me wanting more. A lot more.

I did enjoy the narrator though!

Who She Is

This was an excellent read! Fays family moves every few months. She is not allowed to participate in sports due to epilepsy.She has no friends,until she makes one and her life starts to make sense. Melora Kordos was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Well worth the credit.

Fay and her family move so much she decided a long time ago not to make friends. It was easier with no goodbye's But her mother promised that this time they would stay until she graduated.
Fae loves to run and meets Francy who also loves to run. But Francy's dream is to run the Boston marathon but women are not allowed. Will they get to run it? Read this book and find out. It is good. Love, drama.



This book
was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.