Betty cover art

Betty

A novel

 Preview

Audible Standard 1-month free trial

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo + applicable tax after 30-day trial. Cancel Anytime
Try for $0.00
Compare plans

Betty

Written by: Tiffany McDaniel
Narrated by: Dale Dickey
Try for $0.00

$8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $32.48

Buy Now for $32.48

A stunning, lyrical novel set in the rolling foothills of the Appalachians about a young girl and the family truths that will haunt her for the rest of her life.

“A girl comes of age against the knife.”

So begins the story of Betty Carpenter. Born in a bathtub in 1954 to a white mother and a Cherokee father, Betty is the sixth of eight siblings. The world they inhabit in the rural town of Breathed, Ohio, is one of poverty and violence—both from outside the family and, devastatingly, from within. But despite the hardships she faces, Betty is resilient. Her curiosity about the natural world, her fierce love for her sisters, and her father’s brilliant stories are kindling for the fire of her own imagination, and in the face of all to which she bears witness, Betty discovers an escape: she begins to write.

Inspired by generations of her family, Tiffany McDaniel sets out to free the past by delivering this heartbreaking yet magical story—a remarkable novel that establishes her as one of the most important voices in American fiction. Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most Relevant
I liked the writing style of this book, however, it seems like every bad or horrible thing that could ever happen is brought up in this book back to back with no end or break. I tend to like more heart wrenching books, but be warned this one is a tough one to get through. There’s not alot of ups and downs, it’s mostly just hit after hit.

Beautiful writing. Traumatic story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is by far one of the most impactful, unprecedented stories I have heard. McDaniel’s weaves together the stories and lives of the Carpenter family, inspired by her own father, mother and grandmother, in the most haunting and heart breaking of ways.

This book is not for the faint of heart, and will have you questioning humanity at every turn. As always, I think it’s always the hardest stories that deserve to be heard the most.

-Anna @ The Weekend Readers

5-Star, One of the Most Impactful Books I've Read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The narration is outstanding and on a recommendation from an online reader I’m so glad I picked this novel
The story is so believable and listening was a great experience

A wonderful listen

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I am sitting here sobbing at the end of this book. Because of the content and the deep sadness that it is over. What a beautiful, tragic story. I have not been moved by a book like this in a very long time. Thank you Tiffany McDaniel and Dale Dickey. I will be recommending this to everyone I know.

The best book I’ve experienced in 15 years.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is hands down the most beautifully read audible I have ever come across. The story both filled and broke my heart, page after page.

This is a must listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews