Before Her Audiobook By Jacqueline Woodson cover art

Before Her

The One, Book 1

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Before Her

By: Jacqueline Woodson
Narrated by: Jacqueline Woodson
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In this eloquent memoir, the National Book Award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming traces the relationships in her past that would eventually deliver her to the love of a lifetime.

Before Jacqueline Woodson met Juliet, before her own self-realization, there were decades of friends, lovers, and family who defined the woman she’d become. In this haunting story of memory and identity, Jacqueline shares the profound impact they had on bending the path of her life; how they informed the dreams of her future; and how each one - some lost, all loved - would bring her to Juliet, her one and only.

Jacqueline Woodson’s Before Her is part of The One, a collection of seven singularly true love stories of friendship, companionship, marriage, and moving on. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single sitting, with or without company.

©2019 Jacqueline Woodson (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Biographies & Memoirs Love, Dating & Attraction Marriage & Long-Term Partnerships Relationships

Critic reviews

"In this brief yet affecting memoir...Woodson narrates with the unhurried pace of an author who knows just how her words should land; even the occasional stilted pauses add to the intimacy of the performance, evoking the feeling of a live reading. No less profound for its brevity, this is a must-listen for adult Woodson fans." (AudioFile)

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Not what I expected at the end. I'd have to agree with your mom and grandmom. Your books are sad.

On the flip side it as real as it can be.

So sad.

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While I found the story of the author finding her final love very much welcome and important, I wasn't much impressed with the author's narration of her story. This is the only reason for the four stars.

Finding a final love against the background of lost, coming out, finding self, and the most important finding first love of the same sex.

Author is narrator

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I would love to know more about the lonely "him" in her relationships. It was very ironic that she got pregnant after her grandma died. I guess I wanted to know more about that. I felt like the rest of her exes was a who's who of relationships that came and gone. And the author was the only survivor.

Before Him

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I enjoyed this review of this author's life through the eyes of her heart. Her voice is easy to listen to and feel her emotion.

Great insight into a life of love

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The description of the relationships in the story were absolutely beautiful! It was such a nice and short read!

The story

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I enjoyed listening to this short, well written and well narrated story. I got all caught up in it and, before I knew it, it was over! Well worth the short amount of time it takes to listen. I could see myself listening to a longer version of this story, or other works by this author! Thanks, Ms. Woodson....☺️

Enjoyed It!

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I found this story hard to follow, due to a narrative spoken in a choppy monotone and having an odd cadence (think, William Shatner). Had I read the selection, as opposed to listening...it’s possible I would've found it more interesting; perhaps, entertaining?

The selection was read by the author, yet at times it sounded like the narrator had no connection to or knowledge of the story. Instead of a narrative, what I heard seemed simply a litany of items on a list; some substance, little story.

Difficult to follow; narration was a distraction

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It's a quick read about a young with some regrets on how and what she did in life. She has and still is trying to figure out how she will continue to be whom she is supposed to be in this world. The many lovers she has had expresses how she is wishing for that one special love of her life

Quick Read

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An ENJOYABLE Decent quick listen/read !!! I'd recommend if you like short listens/read. ENJOY !!!

Enjoyable

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Wasn't sure exactly what the story was going to be about, but had an inkling. It took a moment for it to penetrate my hard head. Once I "got it" realized this was her diary of sorts dealing with the on-demand of life, heartache, duality in relationships, honesty and deceipt.
But it all covered what one must deal with in every day life I suppose. It must be a bit more difficult when you are in a alternate lifestyle - having to adjust in your own mind to the mores of society. And to educate those that do not share your choices in life, but want to be a part of your life.
The reading,I thought was well done,in my opinion. She made you feel the excitement, the heartache and the joy of living and exploring! Did want to hear more of what ( if any) decision about the baby. Will her relationship shift? Will she be alone or will she and her partner become stronger ?

Life

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