Life Is Short but Wide Audiobook By J. California Cooper cover art

Life Is Short but Wide

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Life Is Short but Wide

By: J. California Cooper
Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo
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Beloved writer J. California Cooper has won a legion of loyal fans and much critical acclaim for her powerful storytelling gifts. In language both spare and direct yet wondrously lyrical, Life is Short but Wide is an irresistible story of family that proves no matter who you are or what you do, you are never too old to chase your dreams.

Like the small towns J. California Cooper has so vividly portrayed in her previous novels and story collections, Wideland, Oklahoma, is home to ordinary Americans struggling to raise families, eke out a living, and fulfill their dreams. In the early 20th century, Irene and Val fall in love in Wideland. While carving out a home for themselves, they also allow neighbors Bertha and Joseph to build a house and live on their land. The next generation brings two girls for Irene and Val, and a daughter for Bertha and Joseph. As the families cope with the hardships that come with changing times and fortunes, and people are born and pass away, the characters learn the importance of living one's life boldly and squeezing out every possible moment of joy.

Cooper brilliantly captures the cadences of the South and draws a picture of American life at once down-to-earth and heartwarming in this-as her wise narrator will tell you-"strange, sad, kind'a beautiful, life story." It is a story about love that leads to the ultimate realization that whoever you are, and whatever you do, life is short, but it is also wide.

©2009 Doubleday (P)2009 Random House African American Christian Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Sagas Heartfelt
Beautiful Love Story • Excellent Storytelling • Well-developed Characters • Relatable Stories • Emotional Journey
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I took a year to listen to this story, because I just didn't want her to end.

A Journey To Love

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J. California Cooper wrote for human beings. Her charachters are well developed and her stories are relatable. All of her books should ne required reading. The narrator was perfect.

I recommend this book to everyone

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Great story!!
Typical J California Cooper!
I laughed,cried,cringed and smiled.
Felt liked i was looking thru the windows of THIS family's life.

GREAT STORY!!!

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I love the imagery in this book. Very special story telling. Although i didn't care for the religious undertones.

Definitely for the Dreamers

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I was born South Carolina raised in N.y City, This Story Just took me home

Life all ways can told many ways , but always tells the story of many lives

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excellent, enjoyed ever minute of the book. Once I started didnt want to stop.

Review of book

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I thought this was a beautiful love story and beautifully narrated. I love j California Cooper’s style of storytelling.

Beautiful love story

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I’ve read her books and some of them more than one time. The funny thing is after a while you can re read her books and they still pull you in on the mystery of, “What’s going to happen next”?

The words take you straight to another place.

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J.California Cooper has never disappointed me and "Life Is Short and Wide" is no exception. This story touched me and spoke to life's twist a turns, as well as, the unexpected changes and how these changes affect the lives of those you love beyond the length of your life. Highly recommened.

Never Disappointed!

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Would you listen to Life Is Short but Wide again? Why?

Yes. This was the second listen. I drove family members from Atlanta to Savannah (and back) and played it for them. They Loved it; they actually cheered out loud!

What other book might you compare Life Is Short but Wide to and why?

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Which character – as performed by Adenrele Ojo – was your favorite?

Tot was too much!

If you could rename Life Is Short but Wide, what would you call it?

Wouldn't change a thing

Any additional comments?

J. California Cooper is a treasure!

A Whole Lotta Soul!

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