The Crocodile Bride Audiobook By Ashleigh Bell Pedersen cover art

The Crocodile Bride

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The Crocodile Bride

By: Ashleigh Bell Pedersen
Narrated by: Gail Shalan
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Set during the swampy summer in 1982, this stunning debut novel follows 11-year-old Sunshine Turner and her troubled father, Billy, as the secrets of their family's past swirl around them in the one-road town of Fingertip, Louisiana.

During a hot summer of June moods, grubworms, and dark storms, Sunshine discovers stones in her chest—and learns the dangers her coming of age will bring about in the yellow house she shares with her father. Without the vocabulary to comprehend Billy's actions or her own changing body, Sunshine turns to an apocryphal story passed down from her grandmother: In the dark waters of the Black Bayou lives a crocodile with an insatiable appetite and a woman with a mysterious healing gift. As Sunshine's summer unspools, she turns to the one person who will need no explanation of the family secrets she carries—the crocodile bride.

The Crocodile Bride is at once a heartbreakingly tender coming-of-age tale and a lyrical, haunting reflection on generational trauma. Reminiscent of Jesmyn Ward and Helen Oyeyemi, Ashleigh Bell Pedersen is a promising new voice in American fiction.

Contains mature themes.

©2022 Ashleigh Bell Pedersen (P)2022 Tantor Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Magic Magical Realism Southern United States World Literature Fantasy Heartfelt
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Pedersen has woven a history of three generations with a metaphorical tale that comes together like fingers in a clasped hand. Told through the eyes of a girl named Sunshine, we walk the treacherous bayous and backwoods of the south. Pedersen’s voice is authentic and true, bringing each character to life as the story slowly unfolds. Lovely and horrible. Truthful and imaginative. A great first novel.

Powerful, winding tale of family secrets and strength

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Ashleigh Bell Pederson has crafted a visual feast with The Crocodile Bride! Her descriptions bring the story to full and beautiful life. Pederson’s style is poetic and vivid, leaving the reader feeling as if they were in the same room as the characters. Highly recommended!!

What an amazing book!!

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A trigger warning needs to be given. This is not a coming of age story as others have said. It is steeped in generational trauma in the depths of alcoholism and abuse. I would not have read it if reviews would have been more honest.

A story of generational trauma

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