The Olive Picker
A Memoir
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Narrated by:
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Patricia Santomasso
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By:
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Kathryn Brettell
About this listen
More than a memoir, The Olive Picker is a touching experience brimming with strength and triumph. Facing a horrific attack, a resourceful nurse must summon her wits or lose her life. In this brave and shocking memoir, the author masterfully guides us through the pivotal points of her life, from an abusive upbringing that destroys her self-confidence, to the wreckage of an ill-conceived marriage, and on to a defining moment, full of grace and mercy, which gave her the wings to become the conquering and triumphant phoenix she is today. Kathi's story is a heart-wrenching testament to the endurance of the human spirit. Beautifully portrayed, The Olive Picker will grab you by the soul and hold you captive.
©2015 Kathryn Brettell (P)2016 Kathryn BrettellListeners also enjoyed...
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- Unabridged
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The Kaufmans have always considered themselves a normal, happy family. Curtis is a physics teacher at a local high school. His wife, Kathleen, restores furniture for upscale boutiques. Daniel is away at college on a prestigious music scholarship, and 12-year-old Olivia is a happy-go-lucky kid whose biggest concern is passing her next math test. And then comes the middle-of-the-night phone call that changes everything.
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Inaccurate
- By CCB on 03-10-15
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If I am Missing or Dead
- A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation
- By: Janine Latus
- Narrated by: Shelly Frasier
- Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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In April 2002, Janine Latus' youngest sister, Amy, wrote a note and taped it to the inside of her desk drawer. "Today Ron Ball and I are romantically involved", it read, "but I fear I have placed myself at risk in a variety of ways. Based on his criminal past, writing this out just seems like the smart thing to do. If I am missing or dead this obviously has not protected me...."
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All About Janine
- By Ellen on 07-02-07
By: Janine Latus
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Bettyville
- By: George Hodgman
- Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
- Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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When George Hodgman leaves Manhattan for his hometown of Paris, Missouri, he finds himself - an unlikely caretaker and near-lethal cook - in a head-on collision with his aging mother, Betty, a woman of wit and will. Will George lure her into assisted living? When hell freezes over. He can't bring himself to force her from the home both treasure - the place where his father's voice lingers, the scene of shared jokes, skirmishes, and, behind the dusty antiques, a rarely acknowledged conflict...
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Title Should Be Georgeville-It's All About George
- By Sara on 10-08-15
By: George Hodgman
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The Year We Disappeared
- By: Cylin Busby, John Busby
- Narrated by: Cylin Busby, David Baker
- Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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A peaceful summer night is shattered by gunfire as an unseen assailant tries to murder police officer John Busby. Though horribly wounded, Busby survives. But the perpetrator remains at large, meaning neither Busby, nor his wife, nor their three children are safe. In separate chapters John and his daughter, Cylin, who was nine at the time, recount the story of that year. John writes graphically, and movingly, of his wounds, his pain, his multiple surgeries, and his rage.
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Heartbreaking. Justice just out of reach.
- By Amanda on 01-07-14
By: Cylin Busby, and others
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The Pursuit of Happyness (Abridged)
- By: Chris Gardner
- Narrated by: Andre Blake
- Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
- Abridged
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At the age of 20, Chris Gardner arrived in San Francisco to pursue a promising career in medicine. However, he surprised everyone and himself by setting his sights on the competitive world of high finance. Yet no sooner had he landed an entry-level position at a prestigious firm, Gardner found himself caught in a web of incredibly challenging circumstances that left him part of the city's working homeless with his toddler son.
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Very Good Story!
- By Lito Da Critic on 06-02-06
By: Chris Gardner
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The Lost Husband
- By: Katherine Center
- Narrated by: Amy Rubinate
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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"Dear Libby, It occurs to me that you and your two children have been living with your mother for - Dear Lord! - two whole years, and I'm writing to see if you'd like to be rescued." The letter comes out of the blue, and just in time for Libby Moran, who - after the sudden death of her husband, Danny - went to stay with her hypercritical mother. Now her crazy Aunt Jean has offered Libby an escape: a job and a place to live on her farm in the Texas Hill Country.
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wonderful story. narrator kind of a sad sack.
- By Susan Reynolds on 07-24-19
By: Katherine Center
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May We Be Forgiven
- By: A. M. Homes
- Narrated by: Andy Paris
- Length: 20 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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May We Be Forgiven, a darkly comic novel of 21st-century domestic life, stars Harold Silver, a historian who's always been jealous of his successful brother, George. But when the hot-tempered George is institutionalized for committing a violent act, Harold finds himself comforting his brother's wife and children. What follows is a scathing examination of a family so fractured it may never be whole again.
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Give this one a try!
- By JWB on 02-13-13
By: A. M. Homes
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After the Eclipse
- A Mother's Murder, a Daughter's Search
- By: Sarah Perry
- Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
- Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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A fierce memoir of a mother's murder, a daughter's coming-of-age in the wake of immense loss, and her ultimate mission to know the woman who gave her life.
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True crime memoir
- By Julie on 11-03-17
By: Sarah Perry
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Hope and Other Luxuries
- A Mother’s Journey Through a Daughter’s Anorexia
- By: Clare B. Dunkle
- Narrated by: Abby Craden
- Length: 22 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Clare Dunkle seemed to have an ideal life - two beautiful, high-achieving teenage daughters, a loving husband, and a satisfying and successful career as a children's book novelist. But it's when you let down your guard that the ax falls. Just after one daughter successfully conquered her depression, another daughter developed a life-threatening eating disorder.
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Potent and Real
- By Susie on 09-17-15
By: Clare B. Dunkle
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Hour of the Hunter
- By: J. A. Jance
- Narrated by: Gene Engene
- Length: 14 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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A brutal, psychopathic murderer is released from prison - and stalks his prey with intent to kill.
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Hour of the Hunter
- By Marion Burke on 03-01-08
By: J. A. Jance
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The Last Picture Show
- Thalia Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Larry McMurtry
- Narrated by: John Randolph Jones
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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An almost-true story about a small town in Texas that ought to exist if it doesn’t, with characters like Sam the Lion, the delectable Jacy, and Ruth Popper, the coach’s wife. Set in a small, dusty, Texas town, The Last Picture Show introduced the characters of Jacy, Duane, and Sonny: teenagers stumbling toward adulthood, discovering the beguiling mysteries of sex and the even more baffling mysteries of love.
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Not very good
- By Randall on 07-02-17
By: Larry McMurtry
What listeners say about The Olive Picker
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- MANI
- 12-13-16
A Memoir
Which scene was your favorite?
The Memoir is a wonderful story of strength, survival and moving beyond the pain. This book is anyone who has or is in an abusive relationship It gives much needed hope. For those of us who are gifted with healthy relationships, this story should remind you of how precious those people in you life truly are.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Susan Patterson
- 12-09-16
What a roller coaster of emotions!
Would you consider the audio edition of The Olive Picker to be better than the print version?
N/A I prefer audiobooks so I can do other things at the same time.
What other book might you compare The Olive Picker to and why?
Stands alone. I've never experienced so many different emotions in one book.
Which scene was your favorite?
When Kathy was being beaten by her husband and the voice of an angel kept telling her what to do.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes, you can keep track of the characters and events better and it builds up the suspense.
Any additional comments?
I'm sorry this had to happen in real life. It was very emotional."I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.”
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2 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 02-15-17
The Olive Picker: A Memoir
I was given a copy of this audio book so that I could listen and provide an honest review that I hope will help others on deciding whether or not to spend a credit. The narrator did a good job. The story is some what of a 'coming of age' story of a young woman. She has had an abusive past and some of the story is told through her sessions with her therapist. It kept my attention throughout. In my opinion, it is worth spending a credit on.
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- cafurg
- 12-02-16
A very strong woman!
What did you like best about this story?
Ms. Brettell never gave up, no matter what, she found a way to conquer everything that was thrown at her. As the saying goes... you never know how strong you are until strong is the only option (something like that...).
What about Patricia Santomasso’s performance did you like?
The narration was very good. It felt as if she were talking directly to me.
Any additional comments?
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator for an unbiased review.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Kimberly Berg
- 12-14-16
Worth a listen!
I really enjoyed this novel. Hard to believe this came from a first time writer!
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2 people found this helpful
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- Heidi
- 04-15-17
Riveting!
I was sucked right in after the first chapter. The reader has a great voice and reflected the author very well, and knowing this was a true story made it even more intriguing. I kept going back to it because I wanted to see what happened!! The end was very difficult to listen to, because through listening I I cared so much for the woman under attack. After finishing the book I am still thinking about the experiences she endured. I think this book would be good for anyone who has had a difficult childhood, or gone through a traumatic experience as an adult, or anyone who wants to get inside the head of someone who has gone through these things, and survived.
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- Vickie
- 12-03-16
This is one of the best books that it has ever been my privilege to read
I can not say enough good things about this novel. The writing was excellent, The narration was top notch, it had me engaged from the very first chapter all The way till the end. I started the book and had to finish it in just one sitting, it is really that good. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story. I received this review copy from the author publisher or narrator
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2 people found this helpful
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- janek
- 12-04-16
So much more than an abuse survivor memoir. Highly recommend.
Right from the beginning I could not put this down. It is a memoir of an abuse survivor, but it is so much more. It is a gripping and heartbreaking story you can't help but keep listening It consumed my life for the two days in which I listened to it. The authors conversational style in telling her story without judgement is riveting
It reminds me of an old saying. People don t judge you by the things that happen to you but by the way you deal with those things. This is certainly true of Kathryn Brettell. This story will stay with me for a long time. This is not the type of book I would normally choose but I am so glad I did. Well worth recommending
“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”
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2 people found this helpful
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- Daman
- 12-26-16
Worth Every Minute of Listening
Would you listen to The Olive Picker again? Why?
Yes, love the message and journey this book offered.
What did you like best about this story?
Never give up!
What does Patricia Santomasso bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Good narration with strong voice.
Any additional comments?
"This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost."
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2 people found this helpful
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- NANCY H.
- 03-01-17
Survival despite overwhelming odds
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. gut-wrenching honesty
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