The Book of Polly: A Novel
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The Book of Polly: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Kathy Hepinstall (Author), Jenna Lamia (Narrator), Penguin Audio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,624 ratings
Editors' pick Best Literature & Fiction
See all formats and editions

With a kick like the best hot sauce, this is the laugh-out-loud story of a girl determined to keep up with her aging, crazy-as-a-fox mother.

Willow Havens is 10 years old and obsessed with the fear that her mother will die. Her mother, Polly, is a cantankerous, take-no-prisoners Southern woman who lives to chase varmints, drink margaritas, and antagonize the neighbors - and she sticks out like a sore thumb among the young, modern mothers of their small conventional Texas town. She was in her late 50s when Willow was born, so Willow knows she's here by accident, a late-life afterthought. Willow's father died before she was born, her much older brother and sister are long grown and gone and failing elsewhere. It's just her and bigger-than-life Polly.

Willow is desperately hungry for clues to the family life that preceded her, and especially Polly's life pre-Willow. Why did she leave her hometown of Bethel, Louisiana, 50 years ago and vow never to return? Who is Garland Jones, her long-ago suitor who possibly killed a man? And will Polly be able to outrun the Bear, the illness that finally puts her on a collision course with her past?

The Book of Polly has a great blend of humor and sadness, pathos and hilarity. This is a bittersweet novel about the grip of love in a truly quirky family, and you'll come to know one of the most unforgettable mother-daughter duos you've ever met.

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  1. Listening Length
    9 hours and 19 minutes
  2. Author
    Kathy Hepinstall
  3. Narrator
    Jenna Lamia
  4. Audible release date
    March 14, 2017
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Penguin Audio
  7. ASIN
    B06XC3F3FF
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 9 hours and 19 minutes
Author Kathy Hepinstall
Narrator Jenna Lamia
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 14, 2017
Publisher Penguin Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B06XC3F3FF
Best Sellers Rank #66,703 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#609 in Coming of Age Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,413 in Family Life Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#2,136 in Humorous Fiction

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
1,624 global ratings
Perfectly Perfect
5 Stars
Perfectly Perfect
Be prepared to fall completely in love with Willow Havens, her mother Polly, and all the other characters in the eclectic mix provided by Kathy Hepinstall in The Book of Polly. From the very first chapter, we learn that Polly is not the average mother. Along with being very much older than her daughter's classmates' mothers, she has all the spunk and sass a reader could possibly hope for. From her feuds with the neighbors to her battle with the Bear (her term for cancer), it's absolutely impossible not to be drawn completely into her story through Willow's search for answers to the secrets her mother has kept locked away from her.Kathy Hepinstall's writing is also a complete delight. In addition to the beautifully crafted cast of characters (I particularly enjoyed Phoenix), her use of language to convey emotions, develop those characters, and evoke bouts of both laughter AND tears created an overall tone for The Book of Polly that made me wish the book went on forever. My favorite books are the ones that combine beautiful language with a sense of humor and heartwarming characters, and Hepinstall mastered it in this book. Where else can you find a character described as having "a permanently conflicted expression, as though, deep inside her, someone was trying to bathe a cat," which completely nails that description in the most unexpected way?Furthermore, as much as I enjoyed Polly's story, I enjoyed Willow's telling of it and her own development as a young woman just as much. Her relationship with her mother left me completely frustrated at times and in tears at others. Willow's search for a family identity and desire for closeness with her siblings was both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and the only I know to truly describe this book is with two words--perfectly perfect.
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Top reviews from the United States

Sandra Fox Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars So many pages had me laughing out loud!
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is such a delightful novel. Years ago, I was drawn to Ms. Hepinstall's Blue Asylum, a dark historical story. I found her writing so lyrical, evocative, and then had to read more of her work. When I saw this book by her, a premise so different from her others, I had to read it. The development of the characters, especially sassy Willow (LS) and Polly, is exquisite. Such play between them, and the lesser characters were also interesting. This is a blessed tale of mother-daughter love, of fear, of bonds tested anf journeys that fill the soul. I loved this book.
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WhatMeganReads
4.0 out of 5 stars A new favorite - my book club LOVED it!
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2018
Verified Purchase
This was the most recent pick for my IRL book club and it was such a fun book, both to read and to discuss. I adored the character of Polly, and after finding out the author loosely based this character on her mother, (also Polly), I loved it even more. If you love quirky characters and Southern fiction, this is a must-read. It's hilarious, but also has some incredibly poignant moments that balance out the writing and give the story some real depth.
One person found this helpful
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L. Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly Perfect
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
Be prepared to fall completely in love with Willow Havens, her mother Polly, and all the other characters in the eclectic mix provided by Kathy Hepinstall in The Book of Polly. From the very first chapter, we learn that Polly is not the average mother. Along with being very much older than her daughter's classmates' mothers, she has all the spunk and sass a reader could possibly hope for. From her feuds with the neighbors to her battle with the Bear (her term for cancer), it's absolutely impossible not to be drawn completely into her story through Willow's search for answers to the secrets her mother has kept locked away from her.

Kathy Hepinstall's writing is also a complete delight. In addition to the beautifully crafted cast of characters (I particularly enjoyed Phoenix), her use of language to convey emotions, develop those characters, and evoke bouts of both laughter AND tears created an overall tone for The Book of Polly that made me wish the book went on forever. My favorite books are the ones that combine beautiful language with a sense of humor and heartwarming characters, and Hepinstall mastered it in this book. Where else can you find a character described as having "a permanently conflicted expression, as though, deep inside her, someone was trying to bathe a cat," which completely nails that description in the most unexpected way?

Furthermore, as much as I enjoyed Polly's story, I enjoyed Willow's telling of it and her own development as a young woman just as much. Her relationship with her mother left me completely frustrated at times and in tears at others. Willow's search for a family identity and desire for closeness with her siblings was both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and the only I know to truly describe this book is with two words--perfectly perfect.
Customer image
L. Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly Perfect
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2017
Be prepared to fall completely in love with Willow Havens, her mother Polly, and all the other characters in the eclectic mix provided by Kathy Hepinstall in The Book of Polly. From the very first chapter, we learn that Polly is not the average mother. Along with being very much older than her daughter's classmates' mothers, she has all the spunk and sass a reader could possibly hope for. From her feuds with the neighbors to her battle with the Bear (her term for cancer), it's absolutely impossible not to be drawn completely into her story through Willow's search for answers to the secrets her mother has kept locked away from her.

Kathy Hepinstall's writing is also a complete delight. In addition to the beautifully crafted cast of characters (I particularly enjoyed Phoenix), her use of language to convey emotions, develop those characters, and evoke bouts of both laughter AND tears created an overall tone for The Book of Polly that made me wish the book went on forever. My favorite books are the ones that combine beautiful language with a sense of humor and heartwarming characters, and Hepinstall mastered it in this book. Where else can you find a character described as having "a permanently conflicted expression, as though, deep inside her, someone was trying to bathe a cat," which completely nails that description in the most unexpected way?

Furthermore, as much as I enjoyed Polly's story, I enjoyed Willow's telling of it and her own development as a young woman just as much. Her relationship with her mother left me completely frustrated at times and in tears at others. Willow's search for a family identity and desire for closeness with her siblings was both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and the only I know to truly describe this book is with two words--perfectly perfect.
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13 people found this helpful
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Bonnie Manning
4.0 out of 5 stars I’m struggling
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
I read the House of Gentlemen and could not stop reading. Drank it through a straw. Slurping up every metaphor and all the vivid characters. But this book? I’ve read over a hundred pages and keep waiting for something to happen. Not sure. Polly is a pistol but so far I’m bored.
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Rebecca Coleman
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Story grabs your attention and takes you on a journey. Perfect blend of humor, intrigue and emotion. Loved every page!
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Daughter and mother story
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book is a crazy ride since the beginning. Is the story of Polly Havens and her daughter Willow. Polly was 58 years old when she became a widow and three days later that she was going to have a baby. The story is good by Willow. You can imagine the difficulties that both of them had, Willow was suppose to be her granddaughter, not her daughter.
Polly gets sick, she got the "Bear". She was in remission but went it came back, it was with a lot of fury. While this is happening, Willow found a shoe box full with letters. Letters that might reveal Polly's past. Of course Polly wasn't happy but when she realized that she was dying, Polly decided to take Willow to meet her past and a river trip.
There is a very important character, Polly's garden. She loved to garden and the garden was a reflection of her state of mind.
I enjoyed reading it and I will recommend it if you one a light nice reading.
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C. Talick
5.0 out of 5 stars The author describes these characters so vividly I feel like I know them and I'd definitely invite Polly over ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
From the first page, this book took me by the hand and led me through the world and yard of Polly and Willow Havens, an unconventional mother-daughter pairing, and I was smiling the whole way. The author describes these characters so vividly I feel like I know them and I'd definitely invite Polly over for a margarita. It's a funny and beautiful story that makes you cheer on the strong women in the story until she finds redemption and forgiveness in the end. I absolutely loved it and passed it along to many friends. When I was finished with the book I was satisfied and lonely at the same time. I just wish I could spend more time in that world. Great book.
6 people found this helpful
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M. L. Morris
4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky read
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book reminded me so much of Counting by Sevens-with a dysfunctional group of ragtag misfits who somehow fit together and find the best in one another. It was mostly interesting, often implausible, but I was drawn to Willow’s journey.
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
Enjoyable read from start to finish I love a happy ending, and I think I would enjoy more books by this author
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michael williams
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
Purchased for others.
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