Narrated by Tavia Gilbert
After reading and falling in love with Amy Harmon’s A Different Blue, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I felt compelled to listen to another one of her books. Running Barefoot, with Tavia Gilbert as the narrator, did not disappoint me.
Josie Jensen is different from everyone she knows. Her mother died when she was nine, leaving her the only girl in a family of men. Josie is wise beyond her years, and possesses a maturity that astounds and puzzles those around her. She’s also an extremely talented pianist, close to a prodigy in status. Needless to say, it isn’t easy for Josie to feel like she fits into the small Utah town where she’s lived all her life.
When Josie is thirteen, she meets Samuel Yazzie, the Native American grandson of one of her neighbors. At first, she’s intimidated by his sternness, but slowly, the two form a fast friendship unlike anything Josie has known before. Although she’s too young to realize it, she has fallen in love with Samuel.
Samuel is a troubled eighteen-year-old, burdened by feelings of unworthiness. His father died years ago, and his mother is content to live on a reservation with a man who has been known to be abusive. Although there is much of his Navajo heritage he cherishes, Samuel doesn’t want to spend his life on the reservation, herding sheep. Now that he’s living among white people, all he wants is to graduate and join the marines. Meeting Josie changes Samuel in ways he never imagines possible. Through her, he discovers a love of books and music. He knows he’s falling in love with her, but he also knows it’s inappropriate because of her age.
Samuel does leave town upon his graduation. He and Josie exchange letters for a time, but they eventually lose contact. Both of them change drastically before Samuel returns to the town of Lavan and the woman he has always loved. Now, it’s his turn to be the teacher and the inspiration, for something in Josie has broken. Can he save her? Will they be able to claim the love they’ve both kept secret for the past ten years?
Once again, narrator Tavia Gilbert delivers a stunning performance. I can honestly say I’ve never been disappointed in any of her narrations. Running Barefoot can be added to the list of incredible work Gilbert has done.
Running Barefoot is told in first person, from Josie’s point of view. Gilbert captures the essence of Josie perfectly, both as a brilliant child and a broken woman. Throughout the book, Gilbert allows the listener to get to know Josie intimately. I reveled in the joy she felt when playing the piano, and cried when she lost what was precious to her. Gilbert portrayed her deep sadness, mixed with a determination to go on for the sake of her family with great skill.
I found Gilbert’s portrayal of Samuel to be quite wonderful. Harmon lets us know that he has a somewhat stilted quality to his speech. Gilbert brought that to life, causing Samuel to speak in a somewhat flat, halting way that fit the author’s description perfectly. We are also allowed to see just how tortured Samuel really is. He is capable of being open and vulnerable, but only when he’s around Josie. His love for her is plain in every word he speaks.
One thing about the narration puzzled me. It’s something I’ve never encountered with Gilbert, and, honestly, I wouldn’t have noticed it if I hadn’t read the publisher’s summary of this book. All through the book, Gilbert referred to Samuel as “Samuel Yates”. However, the publisher says his last name is Yazzie. I’m curious why Gilbert changed it. Of course, it’s possible that it was a mistake made by the publisher.
This book lacked some of the magic of A Different Blue. Still, it ranks quite high on my list of favorite books. Harmon is a gifted storyteller, one who possesses the ability to create characters you can’t help but love. She takes the subtle approach when it comes to romance. We know Josie and Samuel are in love, but it’s something that’s handled with tenderness and beauty. Everything about their relationship, once they admit their feelings, is slow and careful. Honestly, I find Harmon quite refreshing, when compared to some of the genre’s other writers.
Editor’s Note: I encourage you to take a look at Shannon’s A+ review of Amy Harmon’s A Different Blue over at All About Romance. I listened to it and gave it an A as well. Now I’m looking forward to Running Barefoot. Lea
Shannon
Narration: A
Book Content: A-
Steam Factor: You can play it out loud
Violence: Some veiled references to domestic violence
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Running Barefoot was provided to AudioGals for review by Tantor Audio.
I’m so delighted that you enjoyed the performance of Amy’s unique, lovely story, RUNNING BAREFOOT. Thank you for the wonderful review! I am a big fan of Amy’s fresh voice, compelling characters, and engaging plots, and I loved this story as much as I loved A DIFFERENT BLUE.
As far as the difference between Yates and Yazzie, in my memory, Yazzie was his grandmother’s name, or the name he affectionately called her, maybe a shortened or personal version of Yates? His name was Yates. Tantor and I adhered to the script, of course!
I do hope this is not my last collaboration with Amy. She is very special, indeed, in this genre, and in storytelling in general. Let’s cross our fingers and hope there’s more to come!