The Voice I Just Heard

by Susan Dormady Eisenberg

THE VOICE I JUST HEARD depicts the poignant journey of a young singer who yearns to perform on Broadway, never imagining she has the vocal brilliance for opera. Nora Costello battles paralyzing self-doubt and parental disapproval, two problems that seem insurmountable when her brother Liam dies in Vietnam. Though she meets an unlikely lover-mentor who offers solutions, Nora wonders if she’ll survive the loss of Liam, much less find the strength to compete in a business known for heartbreak and rejection.

The novel poses a universal question: How far will you go to chase a dream? And it also asks: What’s the price of not chasing your dream? As Nora explores these issues, she must solve the riddle of her brother’s decision to join the war, and she struggles to hear the most important voice of all: the whisper of her heart telling her to embrace her talent.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

356 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2012

About the author

Susan Dormady Eisenberg is a Maryland writer who specializes in backstage novels about the performing arts. During the first part of her career, she served as a publicist/marketeer for Goodspeed Opera House, Syracuse Stage, and the Joffrey Ballet/New York.

Susan has written profiles of opera singers, actors, directors, and authors for "Classical Singer," "Opera News," and "Huffington Post." She has also contributed articles to the "Hartford Courant" and the "Albany Times Union." She’s drafting her third novel about the life and times of American icon Annie Oakley She lives in Baltimore with her husband, a senior care executive, and a felina diva named Scout. She has a beautiful adult daughter who works in theater and couldn't be prouder.

Reviews

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother was a singer, not a professional one, but she sang all the time--at home while cleaning, in church, and community choirs. Our home was filled with her lovely voice, so when I read the blurb about THE VOICE I JUST HEARD by Susan Dormady Eisenbeg, I knew it was a book for me. And I was not disappointed.

This is the story of a young girl whose passion is to become a professional singer. Full of yearning and self-doubt, with the shadows of a dead brother, a family breaking apart, and parents opposed to her vocation looming over her, Nora nevertheless pursues her dream. Bart, somewhat older but equally confused, struggles to get his career in singing back on its feet and clean up his family life. They fall in love but the obstacles in their lives and their own hang-ups sabotage their early relationship. Only as more mature people, secure in themselves, would they have a chance to make it work.

This beautifully told and carefully researched and crafted novel is full of vivid and sensual details. The characters--flawed, self-absorbed, yet loving and generous--are convincing and their development as artists and human beings feels real. A lovely book I can highly recommend.

[Sharyn Stieglitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora is a singer who dreams of singing on Broadway someday just like her idol, Julie Andrews. She's currently dealing with grieving the loss of her brother, Liam, who died in Vietnam. Nora is working back home in Cohoes, New York, at her local theater, who is currently running a production of Annie Get Your Gun. When the actor playing Frank Butler falls ill, in comes an unknown actor, Bart Wheeler, to fill in for the part. Nora talks to Bart about her Broadway dreams, but when he hears her voice, he tells her she's destined to sing opera.

As a native New Yorker who loves Broadway, and grew up watching many Julie Andrews movies, I enjoyed the theatrical aspects of this book. I liked the FMC, Nora, and how even though she was dealing with struggles and naysayers about her singing career, she still aimed to pursue her dream. Bart was an interesting man, and had his flaws, and there were times in the book I genuinely wasn't a fan, but he did redeem himself by the end of the book. I did feel for him and the challenges he was dealing with in regards to his ex-wife and daughters. This book conquers family, friendships, love, and navigating through tragedy and was done so very tastefully.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I just finished the revised edition and absolutely loved it—it feels like a whole new book compared to the first edition. Both Bart and Nora have their flaws, but the way they work through their challenges, separately and together, is so well written. Bart’s sense of responsibility makes him especially endearing, and I really enjoyed watching Nora grow and mature. A fast, engaging read—perfect for travel or for curling up at home with a cup of tea.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Voice I Just Heard
By: Susan Dormady Eisenberg
Pub Date: Out now
Tour: Get Red Pr
I love discovering new to me authors by taking part in tours. Eisenberg will be one I will look for more work.
Nora is a singer and has aspirations of Broadway. She has always had the support of her brother Liam, but not her parents. She is now trying to perform in theater without that support, because he did in Vietnam.
I have always love theater and musicals. This one takes the reader on an emotional journey. A complicated family and a romance with complications. Characters that are beautiful written and will draw you into the story as it unfolds.
Thank you Get Red PR for having me on tour.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Dormady Eisenberg's love for theater and music shines through in this poignant story about a young woman who wants to be a vocalist but has stage fright. After her brother dies in the Vietnam War, she takes a job working at a tent theater in Cohoes, New York, in the early 1970s. There she meets Bart Wheeler, a man who will change her life in more ways than one.

For being closer to my oldest child's age than to mine, Nora is a relatable character and I cared about her well-being. I felt like she was very genuine and I would get upset on her behalf when her parents tried to downplay her career goals, even with those being risky. I could also understand where her parents were coming from, but I was viewing it from her perspective throughout the book. (This is similar to how I felt while watching Felicity, when her parents would criticize what she was doing with her life.) There were times I did have concerns for what Nora was doing, but she also seemed old for her age and I trusted she would figure it out. I also cringed on her behalf during awkward situations (such as what happens when she goes to Bart's city apartment). I liked her job, as I think it would be fun to work at a theater and have so much behind-the-scenes access.

It was also easy to visualize a place I have never been, as Susan brought Cohoes to life throughout the story.

I had a few concerns with some of the pacing. I felt like I was following a GPS sometimes, as Nora constantly talked about which streets she was driving on. Some of the dialogue felt forced, like when they were talking about the history of the town. The poem also showed up too many times. Finally, I would have liked a glossary (or even footnotes) of the music terminology.

Overall, this novel is heartfelt and hopeful. If you love theater, definitely check it out! And if you're not a theater person, there's still a lot to enjoy.

(Trigger warning below.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Nora: Angourie Rice

Bart: Ryan McCartan

GC: Murray Bartlett

Nora's mom: January Jones

Liz: Madeleine Harris
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TW: Talking about how Nora's brother died in the war

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look at this book’s cover, as the woman walks out on the stage and sees the waterfalls before her, this is a perfect metaphor for the stage fright that grips Nora Costello when she sings, especially when her dismissive parents are in the audience. Imagine what singing is like for an artist, it is the air they breathe and the thrum of their soul, but imagine how it would be to recapture your flagging confidence in the presence of parents who disapprove of the theater as a career, particularly after one of your staunchest supporters, your brother Liam, dies in the Vietnam War dashing your father’s hopes of another brilliant doctor in the family. The Voice I Just Heard by Susan Dormady Eisenberg is an operatic debut of epic proportions, with a story that takes readers behind the scenes of theater and opera through an emotional journey of losing a brother at one of the most controversial times in U.S. history — the Vietnam War.

Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2012/08/t...

[Katherine Kirkpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Voice I Just Heard is a heartfelt and poignant coming-of-age story about the complications of young love, grief, life in the arts, and following your dreams. Nora, age 22, an aspiring soprano, takes a summer job as an assistant at a small theater company in upstate New York. The year is 1970. The production they are putting on is “Annie Get Your Gun.” Nora wishes she could be like Julie Andrews and star in musicals. But Nora would need more training, and she’d have to overcome her stage fright as well as her parents’ disapproval of her chosen career. Nora is also deeply mourning her brother, Liam, who recently died in the Vietnam War. Liam was the person in her life who understood and supported her the most.

The leading role in the summer’s production is replaced by newcomer Bart. He and Nora fall in love. Bart is almost ten years older than her, divorced, and has two daughters. Things become complicated. Although Bart recognizes her talents and encourages her, and she, in turn, motivates him to get his own life and career on track, both lovers have a lot of work to do with themselves before their relationship can succeed. Nora has the wisdom to realize she must become a “whole person”—she cannot depend on anyone to fill the void inside her caused by her brother’s death. Additionally, Bart’s career plans might take him far away from her. Still, there is hope for fulfillment in both love and a career. Nora is a character with great potential. She sets high goals, and the reader cheers for her.

The author’s love of music and theater is clear, and she skillfully evokes their ambiance, as only someone with insider experience in the theater world can. She also effectively establishes the setting of the mill town. Nora is a sympathetic character because she is both unsure of herself and persistent. Her grief over her big brother’s passing is especially well depicted. The way Nora constantly talks to her brother is touching and realistic. This is an enjoyable book to read. Susan Eisenberg is a compassionate and heartfelt writer. Singers and theater enthusiasts will especially appreciate the insider’s perspective on what it takes to succeed in the arts.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite novels are love stories set in the arts or complicated family novels. This one combines both in a totally captivating way. It is set in a 1970s’ shabby tent theater in upstate New York where well-known actors would drop by for a week or two and disappear again. Working as an assistant press gal is 22-year-old Nora who though she is quite efficient at her job, is wondering if she can ever have the career she wants as a soprano in musicals because of her stage fright. Behind that a much more serious grief lives inside her every day: her beloved brother Liam after enlisting in the Vietnam War has been killed in action. He appears in her thoughts all the time, guiding her, scolding her and urging her to make her career in singing.

Then when the tent’s leading man has a problem, a substitute actor is called. Bart is about 30, a gorgeous singer and very handsome; he is also warm and kind and discovering the beauty of Nora’s voice, encourages her to go for the career she wants. Nora is shortly obsessed. He takes her to the opera; he sees the direction she might go. But his real life is difficult: an acrimonious divorce, two little girls, some possible lovers, a pet rabbit and a day job (if theater work dries up.) They fall for her each other hard. He is in love but uncertain; she is uncertain. He has too many responsibilities to give her what needs. And she is so young.

The characters are rich and memorable: Nora’s parents who struggle with their grief over their lost son, her few long-time girlfriends, her boss at the tent, Liam’s friend who want to marry her and always the ghost of Liam and his love for her from the grave and in the end the unresolved question of who failed him, who disappointed him, and why did he really go to war?

An utterly engrossing story of family, death, theater, music and the choices we make that determine the story of our lives. You will fall in love with these people.

This edition of THE VOICE I JUST HEARD has expanded from the original edition of over a decade ago.

[Susan E.P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Others have described the plot here, but my thoughts are about how the author handled some challenging issues raised.

1. The author deals with the difficult emotions around losing a son/brother in the Vietnam War without tipping into pity. Compassion, sadness and understanding for/of the characters without devolving into drawing them as people with no emotional resources. This also applies to the trauma experienced by Nora's love interest Bart who has gone through a divorce, the break up of a long term relationship and barriers to pursuing his first love - developing his vocal skills and performing in opera.
2. I'm not sure the author would describe it this way, but the word that came up for me at the end was "redemption." Not in a religious sense, but because there is a delicate "resolution" of the primary traumas in the lives of the characters. It is clear that this was not a final resolution, but that the characters reached a new level of acceptance. They were free to let life go on.
4. The arc of the book mirrors the arc of a poem by Thomas Moore "Lines Written at Cohos, or Falls of the Mohawk River" which moves from observations of the natural world to self-reflection.
3. The romance between Bart and Nora is real, including ups and downs, misunderstandings and breakups. The chemistry between them is evident from their first meeting.
4. Interesting that the author chose to set the narrative in the relatively obscure northern New York town of Cohoes. This is not a prototypical setting, but demonstrates where talent comes from - everywhere. She also makes Cohoes in the the late 60's and early 70's come alive.
5. The author is a master of detailed description.
Read this book!

[Carmen M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @GetRedPR and @AtmospherePress for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Voice I Just Heard is a layered story that mixes music, grief, and self discovery in a way that feels very intimate. The book follows Nora’s journey, our FMC who dreams of Broadway but discovers her gift may lie in opera, even as she wrestles with awful self doubt and the heavy weight of family expectations. The shadow of her brother Liam’s death in Vietnam runs through the novel, giving it an emotional depth that goes beyond the usual “chasing your dream” storyline.

What I really appreciated was how the book asks bigger questions: how far do we go for our passions, and what’s the cost if we don’t? Nora’s path is messy and often painful, but that’s what makes it feel authentic. The inclusion of a lover/mentor character adds another dimension part inspiration, part complication without overshadowing Nora’s personal growth.

Eisenberg’s writing is elegant but accessible and easy to read, and she captures the world of music with a richness. At times, the pacing felt a touch uneven, and there were moments I wanted a bit more nuance in how certain relationships (especially the family dynamics) played out, but it is still a rewarding read that will stay with you for a while.

If you enjoy books about following your calling against the odds with a strong dose of emotional depth this is definitely the book for you.

3.95 Stars!

#TheVoiceIJustHeard, #SusanDormadyEisenber, #GetRedPR, #AtmospherePress

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora is a young adult, wanting to make it in the world of Broadway and yet is held back. Her parents don't approved or understand her longing to be under the lights, her brother has been sent off to Vietnam and she just feels lost. When they receive the devastating news, her family falls apart and she is utterly lost. Her brother was everything to her. As they try to move on, each grieves differently and Nora at times becomes reckless with her decisions. Still young and learning the way of the world, she struggles to figure out what she needs to be doing. After a whirlwind romance with a washed up broadway star, Bart Wheeler she struggles with what seems to be everything. Her father has asked her to help with her mother who is still reeling from her brother's death, an unexpected marriage proposal she had to turn down, and secrets her brother was keeping is found when she is asked to go through his possessions. As she revisits the last few years and what her brother really wanted in life, she realizes she must make a go of things not only for herself but for him. Although at times it was hard to connect with Nora, we do really see her grow into adulthood, mature into a young woman and become the strength her family needed as well as finding herself after such a devastating loss. I enjoyed this storyline and loved the little bit of town history that was also woven through out the story. Thank you to the author and publisher for the complementary novel. Thank you to GetRedPR for the tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of family, loss, love, and having the courage to create a life of your own. Nora dreams of being a Broadway star even though her parents are dismissive of her dreams, especially when she suffers from stage fright at a performance they attend. Liam, her brother and biggest supporter, dies in Vietnam and Nora and her parents are left reeling. A summer working behind the scenes at a local theater and meeting actor Bart Wheeler propels her to reevaluate her dreams and find a way to achieve them even without her parents' support. Stories where characters have to reevaluate dreams and find the strength to fight for what they want are some of my favorites and this book provides that in Nora. Watching Nora grow from an insecure college student to someone who knows exactly what she wants and is working to get it was a joy to read. That Bart had his own struggles and that their love story was not an instant happily ever after made it feel more realistic and I appreciated it. The change in her parents was also important to see as they are forced to confront the change in their family and what it means for the future if they don’t want to lose Nora too. The theater world always fascinates me and I liked the way it was included in this book. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy books about family, loss, and creating a life of your dreams.

Thanks to the author and Get Red PR for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Madeline Svendson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the first edition of The Voice I Just Heard I had my reservations about reading the revision. I am glad I put aside my reservations, because once I started the story I couldn’t put the book down. In the story we meet Nora Costello, a talented young woman grieving the death of her beloved brother, Liam, who had been killed in the Vietnam War. It is also about Bart, the leading man in a show at a Tent theater in Upstate New York who she has fallen in love with, her parents who are heartbroken after losing their son, and her love of singing and the theater. We get to know Nora through the ways she deals with the tragedy of her brother’s death , and how she navigates her relationships with Bart, her parents and various friends, as well as how she questions and doubts her future as a singer. Yes, there are many layers to this story and Ms. Dormady has told it flawlessly.
As with her other novels, Ms. Dormady takes us on a journey to where her stories take place. In The Voice I Just Heard I felt I was in Upstate New York with Nora visiting Cohoes Falls.
Even if you have read the first edition of this novel, I highly recommend you take the time to enjoy Nora’s story again. It is well worth the time

[Twinkle.butt.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Voice I Just Heard (first published May 2, 2012; revised edition due September 16, 2025) follows Nora Costello, a young soprano grappling with stage fright, parental disapproval, and deep grief after her brother Liam dies in the Vietnam War. Upon losing her musical anchor and emotional confidant, she finds herself adrift—until she meets Bart Wheeler, a former Broadway baritone weathering his own struggles, and reunites with her childhood friend Liz, now a troubled nun holding secrets about Liam.
This has it all as a historical fiction love, loss, second chances, and a very detailed and inviting story line!

[Jame_EReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! After reading this I felt the buzzing of the words and all the emotions that the author wrote into the book. This reminds me of anyone’s daughter dealing with strict parents dictating her life and choices just like Nora. This historical fiction is flowing, rhythmic and emotionally charged. Nora with her choices, struggles, enduring love and coming of age have made this poignant story compelling. What I like the most is the challenges and surprises that she faced while figuring out her next move. I wish I could sit and listen to Nora Costello perform her songs and special piece.

[Esther Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

I liked the insight into the musical world, but the characters left me wishing for more. Nora is constantly bawling or vomiting or screaming. Everything is so overdone with her. And Bart annoys me so much. I really didn't like him.

[Miranda Bourassa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora, lost in life after the death of her brother, meets Bart at her summer theater job and they begin a love affair. This coming of age story deals with loss, first love, an age gap and also shows how difficult grief is to handle from multiple perspectives.

[MargeGordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful romance full of historical truths which made it a great read

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Tammy O · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Susan Dormady Eisenberg is a Maryland writer who reveres Broadway musicals and opera with equal passion. A trained soprano, she can "hear" the talent and technique in the singers she portrays in her first novel, 'The Voice I Just Heard.'"

This is a wonderful book about music, love, grief, healing, historical landmarks and life. Susan Dormady's musical background, knowledge and training are woven into the details of this story so well. I was fascinated. Then there is the setting which "introduces readers to Cohoes, NY--the historic mill town whose industrial heyday ended with the great depression." In the Author's Notes at the end, we learn that she lived in Cohoes during the late Fifties and early Sixties. I loved the way she shared the history and descriptions of the town in this story.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, and I'm so glad! I had trouble putting it down after the first 100 pages. I was curious to see what Nora would do with her singing talent, and the puzzles regarding Nora's brother and their family history kept me wondering what Nora would learn next.

[Kkop12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I went back and forth between 3 or 4 stars. The writing was not the best and the love story drove me a bit batty. But I really loved reading about the world of 'singing', especially the opera. The authors decision to use a deceased character as virtually a 'main' character also interested me. But the big thing I LOVED about this book was that the majority of the setting was in Cohoes/Loudenville/Latham and Lake George NY. Right near where I grew up! There were so many streets mentioned that I have driven on. There were other historical sites and mentions that I have not seen and I now want to go and explore at some point. So while this probably would have gotten a 3 star rating for overall 'topic' and writing, the setting sold me on a 4. And the settings details are rich.....Might even re-read some parts if I do go exploring :-)

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike some fictional couples, Bart and Nora conduct their troubled love affair in a crowd of family members, friends, and coworkers. The novel is set variously in a small town in upstate New York, New York City, and Washington, DC; these locations, too, have a role to play in their romance. Nora is young, talented, and unsure of herself. Bart is older but not wiser. What brings them together is their love of singing and their powerful sense of vocation: this is what they are meant to be doing. They grow and change, part and reunite. This beautifully crafted novel explores what matters in life and what draws soulmates together no matter what.

[Rachel Cotterill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet coming-of-age story set in the aftermath of the Vietnam war. Nora's brother died in the war, and she's struggling to come to terms with her loss, at the same time as she tries to make plans for the future and follow her own dreams. I loved the glimpse into the world of theatre behind-the-scenes (something with which I'm all too familiar), and found Bart (the love interest) to be an intriguing character, with their relationship just flawed enough to make interesting reading.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This turned out not really to be my thing though I did finish it. My favorite take-away from the story was her mother's advice about needing to be "whole" to accept love. I find that true and glad Nora does too. She does not force a relationship until she is through the grieving process after losing her brother and well on her way to being who/what she is supposed to be. Nice.

[Louise Nayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written with poignancy and humor, The Voice I Just Heard opens with a tragic event that tears a family apart and threatens to derail the dreams of a young woman. She persists in her journey of love, hope, and healing. Colorful and romantic, the characters literally sing off the page

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a family handling their grief (died in Vietnam) and moving forward. Also throw in a love story in there (PG rated). Probably could have done without all the history of the town, but other than that, I really enjoyed the book. 4 1/2 stars

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

looks and sounds awaesome..

[Jordan Pellegrini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was timeless. I would like to see what else Ms. Eisenberg has done. I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Debra B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting. I learned something about what it takes to break into the field of opera. I enjoyed the description of the towns in upstate New York.