Betty cover art

Betty

The International Bestseller

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Betty

By: Tiffany McDaniel
Narrated by: Dale Dickey
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About this listen

'A girl comes of age against the knife.'

So begins the story of Betty Carpenter.

Born in a bathtub in 1954 to a Cherokee father and white mother, Betty is the sixth of eight siblings. The world they inhabit is one of poverty and violence - both from outside the family and also, devastatingly, from within. When her family's darkest secrets are brought to light, Betty has no choice but to reckon with the brutal history hiding in the hills, as well as the heart-wrenching cruelties and incredible characters she encounters in her rural town of Breathed, Ohio.

Despite the hardship she faces, Betty is resilient. Her curiosity about the natural world, her fierce love for her sisters and her father's brilliant stories are kindling for the fire of her own imagination and in the face of all she bears witness to, Betty discovers an escape: she begins to write.

A heartbreaking yet magical story, Betty is a punch-in-the-gut of a novel - full of the crushing cruelty of human nature and the redemptive power of words.

©2020 Tiffany McDaniel (P)2020 Orion Publishing Group
Coming of Age Fantasy Fiction Magical Realism United States

Critic Reviews

"Not a story you will soon forget." (Karen Joy Fowler, author of Man Booker Prize finalist We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves)

What listeners say about Betty

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Raw beauty

Beautifully written.

Fabulously narrated.

Heartbreakingly raw.

A book that will remain in my heart for some time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Exceptional

Both tragic and beautiful, a read that will take your breath away as well as leave you sobbing out loud for Betty. Narration was brilliant too. Be ready for an emotional roller coaster.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Utterly heartbreaking

Brilliantly and purposefully written. Shocking and addictive, truly moving. It’s both a difficult read and strangely inspiring.

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A roller coaster life story to move the soul

I appreciate my life or at least I thought I did until this book ... my life is forever changed and I am grateful for having experienced this story. Every moment documented truth and experience and empathy, hatred pain and forgiveness. Thankyou Tiffany and Thankyou Dale ... my tears are a bridge to my soul and the depth of understanding I bore throughout .. please everyone take the time to read or listen to Betty !

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Beautiful, brutal and heartfelt

Stunning performance! I loved this story so much and will miss Betty and her view of the world.

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A really hard read

No light at the end of the tunnel on this one, it’s just one blow after another. A very interesting story but utterly tormenting and treacherous read.

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1 person found this helpful

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