Beyond The Laughing Sky by Michelle Cuevas | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

In the tradition of E. B. White and Kate DiCamillo comes the magical and moving story of a bird-like boy who longs to fly
Ten-year-old Nashville doesn’t feel like he belongs with his family, in his town, or even in this world. He was hatched from an egg his father found on the sidewalk and has grown into something not quite boy and not quite bird. Despite the support of his loving parents and his adoring sister, Junebug, Nashville wishes more than anything that he could join his fellow birds up in the sky. After all, what's the point of being part bird if you can't even touch the clouds?
With an ear for language and a gift for storytelling, Michelle Cuevas will remind fans of Stuart Little and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon that anything is possible. Even flying.

Why Did I Listen To This Book?

I love a beautiful book cover and I think that the book cover to Michelle Cuevas’s Beyond The Laughing Sky is gorgeous. This really lead to me picking out this audiobook to be my next listen. Also you know how there’s narrator loyalty? Well, Joshua Swanson narrates Beyond The Laughing Sky and I’ve listened to at least 10 books that Swanson has narrated, so it seemed like the natural choices to add this book to my pile.

What’s The Story Here?

Beyond The Laughing Sky by Michelle Cuevas is about this kid who goes by the name of Nashville. He believes his actual parents are birds and that he was hatched from an egg that his father found, which LOL. Anyways, he just longs to fly. He’s your classic does not fit in sort of main character. Nashville is starting at a new school and questioning why he hasn’t flown yet, given that he is so positive he’s a bird.

How Did I Like This Book?

Honestly? If not for one of my favorite narrators, I probably would not have cared too terribly much for Beyond The Laughing Sky. I think that because I am old, I found the idea of a human bird boy ridiculous. Again, this is a matter of me not being the target audience. I feel like people who are actually in the target audience will likely not find this as weird as I did. Also? I just cringed so many times while listening. Yet, this is a quick listen, so that’s a good thing. And I quite liked the sister character, Junebug.

How’s The Narration?

Beyond The Laughing Sky by Michelle Cuevas is a very quick listen. It only takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes to listen to – so for some of you adult listeners out there that’s about a day’s commute. The narrator, Joshua Swanson, is an absolute professional. He is excellent with elocution, pacing, and tonality. The production values on this audiobook are superb too, allowing for my focus to be on the book and not background noises or weird pauses, etc.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

Essentially this kid just wants to be a bird so badly, and I think this GIF sums up how badly.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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