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'Til the Well Runs Dry  By  cover art

'Til the Well Runs Dry

By: Lauren Francis-Sharma
Narrated by: Ron Butler,Bahni Turpin
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Publisher's summary

Lauren Francis-Sharma's 'Til the Well Runs Dry opens in a seaside village in the north of Trinidad where young Marcia Garcia, a gifted and smart-mouthed 16-year-old seamstress, lives alone, raising two small boys and guarding a family secret. When she meets Farouk Karam, an ambitious young policeman, the risks and rewards in Marcia's life amplify forever.

On an island rich with laughter, Calypso, Carnival, cricket, beaches and salty air, sweet fruits and spicy stews, the novel follows Marcia and Farouk from their amusing and passionate courtship through personal and historical events that threaten Marcia's secret, entangle the couple and their children in a scandal, and endanger the future for all of them.

'Til the Well Runs Dry tells the twinned stories of a spirited woman's love for one man and her bottomless devotion to her children. For listeners who cherish the previously untold stories of women's lives, here is a story of grit and imperfection and love that has not been told before.

©2014 Lauren Francis-Sharma (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Remarkably accomplished first-time novelist Francis-Sharma makes it clear on page one that Marcia is strong, courageous, and resourceful." (Booklist)

"The two narrators, Ron Butler and Bahni Turpin, are superb choices who move the listener smoothly between the two main characters." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about 'Til the Well Runs Dry

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Most wells I knew as a boy…

Most wells I knew as a boy in rural Alabama were sealed decades ago. Climbing down the dank and dark narrow walls of this one at 78 was torturous, but i could close the book, shut off my iPod, and go to a comfortable sleep. Not so for the noble and vulnerable family at the center of this story.

The author has Shakespeare's gift to let me see, smell, taste, touch, and hear every detail vividly, poignantly.

I did not choose this book but read it as a project for the book club at my public library. I need this group to help bring wholeness but not closure to the reading . I would not be surprised if our next meeting resembles a wake. We know the characters of the novel as family.

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214 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good story...

Good story, great narration. My one problem was that it seemed to want to be everything to everybody. I felt like it meandered into too many areas that felt unresolved. Once Marcia went to the States, it all felt a bit forced and contrived...but the story still kept me engaged. This was good for driving and relaxing on the porch.....I found it tough on the subway because the accents required total concentration. Good, entertaining store nonetheless. This story made me very interested in Trinidadian culture which I will explore more.

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66 people found this helpful

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My First Trini Audio Book

Where does 'Til the Well Runs Dry rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I like the story but being a Trinidadian I was disappointed that they didn't use a Trinidadian narrator, the Trini accent was definitely missing for the main character and some others.
This was a let down for me.

What other book might you compare 'Til the Well Runs Dry to and why?

Book of Night Women by Marlon James, excellent story and performance by Jamaicans.

Would you be willing to try another one of Ron Butler and Bahni Turpin ’s performances?

Not if it is narrating a Trini book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was nice reading/hearing about Trinidad during the late 1920s.

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50 people found this helpful

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Don't miss this one

I fell in love with this book right away. It made me smile, think and laugh out loud. I even identified with some of the thoughts some of the characters had. I learned some things too. I did not know the history of Trinidad. The narrators could not be better. I have a feeling there may be a sequel.

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43 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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One Damed Thing After Another

What would have made 'Til the Well Runs Dry better?

OMGosh! Any bit of joy; any bit of fun, any bit of non-depressive events would have made this book better!

What aspect of Ron Butler and Bahni Turpin ’s performance would you have changed?

The narrators were fine, good in-fact . . . . I don't know how they didn't slit their wrists having to read this day in and day out. I would have stayed in bed with the covers pulled over my head!

What character would you cut from 'Til the Well Runs Dry?

Nearly all of them.

Any additional comments?

If I hadn't needed some noise and at least the possibility that something would eventually happen in this book . . . to fill the space while I did housework and other such drudgeries I would have asked for my money back from Audible. I kept holding out for a good end to one unpleasant event after another, and then boom! It just ended - I almost felt like throwing my iPhone! Sadly -- these are hours I will never get back. What was the point of this book?? . . . Anyone who has depression in their lives should NOT listen to this book. Thank goodness I don't - or I would have slit my wrists!

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40 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Difficult lives; difficult to experience.

I wasn't feeling well when I listened to this book, and it took some strength to stay with it. There was so much misery encountered by so many of the characters, and I know this is true for many people in the world. It was an interesting story, and well-written. I thought the narration was good.

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38 people found this helpful

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Magnificent

Written and read with such grace and compassion. Fantastic in every way. Bravo to a remarkable story teller and two extraordinary actor/narrators. Thank you.

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36 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing

Loved it! This is sad beautiful story with excellent narration. I could not stop listening it was totally gripping and I will listen to this again.

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34 people found this helpful

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Excellent Story

This book takes you to the island. You experience the book; you see, feel, taste, hear, and smell the story. This book is very well written.

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27 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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hard to stay engaged

Flawed characters are alright but there wasn't one in this novel that was improving the human race or revealing much more than how bad choices and weak moments lead to further destruction and anguish. I had a hard time staying engaged.

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23 people found this helpful