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Half Light
From Tayari Jones, author of the New York Times best seller and Oprah’s Book Club pick An American Marriage, comes an intimate, powerful story of two sisters.
Identical twins Amelia and Camelia Hall were born with the same face, and that’s about it: By the time the girls were through school, the matching set of names could no longer contain them. Now there’s Cam, whose contrarian streak led her to a career in law, and Lia, who followed more closely in her parents’ footsteps with her dermatology practice and married-with-children lifestyle in Atlanta’s Glenwood Park.
But the bond between the sisters is deep and unshakable - Cam serves as the maid of honor on Lia’s wedding day and as her attorney 15 years later, when Lia’s life and the lives of her two teenage daughters are rocked by divorce. And two years after her separation, the dust is finally starting to settle. But in the hazy glow of their first years of marriage, Lia gifted her then-husband a precious, irreplaceable family heirloom, and she decides that now, she must do whatever she can to get it back, starting with breaking and entering.
In Half Light, Jones explores the complex, profound bond of family, both the family we’re born with and the family we choose, against the vibrant backdrop of present-day Atlanta.
Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Identical twins Amelia and Camelia Hall were born with the same face, and that’s about it: By the time the girls were through school, the matching set of names could no longer contain them. Now there’s Cam, whose contrarian streak led her to a career in law, and Lia, who followed more closely in her parents’ footsteps with her dermatology practice and married-with-children lifestyle in Atlanta’s Glenwood Park.
But the bond between the sisters is deep and unshakable - Cam serves as the maid of honor on Lia’s wedding day and as her attorney 15 years later, when Lia’s life and the lives of her two teenage daughters are rocked by divorce. And two years after her separation, the dust is finally starting to settle. But in the hazy glow of their first years of marriage, Lia gifted her then-husband a precious, irreplaceable family heirloom, and she decides that now, she must do whatever she can to get it back, starting with breaking and entering.
In Half Light, Jones explores the complex, profound bond of family, both the family we’re born with and the family we choose, against the vibrant backdrop of present-day Atlanta.
Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes.
2 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 31, 2020
About the author
Tayari Jones
27 books31.9k followersTayari Jones is the author of the novels Leaving Atlanta, The Untelling, Silver Sparrow, and An American Marriage (Algonquin Books, February 2018). Her writing has appeared in Tin House, The Believer, The New York Times, and Callaloo. A member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, she has also been a recipient of the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, Lifetime Achievement Award in Fine Arts from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, United States Artist Fellowship, NEA Fellowship and Radcliffe Institute Bunting Fellowship. Silver Sparrow was named a #1 Indie Next Pick by booksellers in 2011, and the NEA added it to its Big Read Library of classics in 2016. Jones is a graduate of Spelman College, University of Iowa, and Arizona State University. She is currently an Associate Professor in the MFA program at Rutgers-Newark University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
October 8, 2020
Half Light was a fun, short story about two adult sisters in Atlanta on a mission to right a wrong. Camelia and Amelia are identical twins but couldn’t be more different. Despite their oppositeness, their bond is strong and they’re determined to get what they came for, pulling up to Amelia’s ex-husband’s house, unannounced.
Half Light is easily a one sitting listen, an enjoyable story by the great Tayari Jones with excellent narration by Bahni Turpin!
Half Light is easily a one sitting listen, an enjoyable story by the great Tayari Jones with excellent narration by Bahni Turpin!
September 27, 2020
Audible original, ( 1 hour and 20 minutes freebie with audible membership), ... read by the wonderful *Bahni Turpin*
This contemporary short story by *Tayari Jones* is about twin sisters born Amelia and Camila.
As adults they now go by the names Lia and Cam.
Since the story is short - I’ll keep this review short...and just remind readers Tayari Jones is a great storyteller.
This small excerpt should be enough to give a clue about the content:
“Being a mother is hard. Being a daughter is hard. Being a sister, is not a piece of cake either”.
Besides meeting Cam ( a lawyer), and Lia.... (a doctor)...
readers will meet Melanie ( a baker).....
who is the girlfriend of Lia’s ex-husband - Maurice ( called Train)....
and Ophelia ( the twins mother)
An enjoyable audiobook —
takes place in Atlanta, Georgia —
with an ending that will put a smile on readers faces.
This contemporary short story by *Tayari Jones* is about twin sisters born Amelia and Camila.
As adults they now go by the names Lia and Cam.
Since the story is short - I’ll keep this review short...and just remind readers Tayari Jones is a great storyteller.
This small excerpt should be enough to give a clue about the content:
“Being a mother is hard. Being a daughter is hard. Being a sister, is not a piece of cake either”.
Besides meeting Cam ( a lawyer), and Lia.... (a doctor)...
readers will meet Melanie ( a baker).....
who is the girlfriend of Lia’s ex-husband - Maurice ( called Train)....
and Ophelia ( the twins mother)
An enjoyable audiobook —
takes place in Atlanta, Georgia —
with an ending that will put a smile on readers faces.
October 7, 2020
3.5 Stars
An enjoyable story about identical twins, Amelia and Camelia who live in Atlanta, and go by Lia and Cam now that they are adults. The bond that developed between them as children remains very strong through the years. There's a bit of an "adventure" as the story continues.
Loved how this story slowly unravels over 80 minutes in this audiobook, and the focus on the bonds of family, both those we’re born into, as well as those we choose.
An enjoyable story about identical twins, Amelia and Camelia who live in Atlanta, and go by Lia and Cam now that they are adults. The bond that developed between them as children remains very strong through the years. There's a bit of an "adventure" as the story continues.
Loved how this story slowly unravels over 80 minutes in this audiobook, and the focus on the bonds of family, both those we’re born into, as well as those we choose.
July 9, 2021
[3.5] This short story, read by Bahni Turpin, was just the ticket for my walk today. Enjoyable and diverting with a sprinkling of wisdom.
August 27, 2021
I absolutely adore this author's way with words, especially her dialogue - vivid and sassy, even when the theme is serious. This makes her novels perfect for audio, and narrator, Bahni Turpin, did a stellar job. This short (just under one and a half hours) audible original is the perfect introduction to Tayari Jones' books.
September 3, 2020
Loved loved loved. Ms. Jones is one of my absolute faves! This surprise short was just what I needed today! I love any story that showcases love, friendship and bond between sisters, especially twins. This is such a good read... well, listen! Also Bahni Turpin is perfection as narrator.
February 5, 2022
3.75 stars!
I enjoyed this short story, and loved the narration. This is my second short by Tayari Jones, and I am hooked on her voice! The way she tells a story is addictive.
Two sisters. Different as night and day, although because they’re twins—they look alike.
“Being a mother is hard. Being a daughter is hard. Being a sister, is not a piece of cake either.”
This is a story about two sisters making things right between them. I love stories about sister relationships and the dynamics of it. This story made my heart full.
I enjoyed this short story, and loved the narration. This is my second short by Tayari Jones, and I am hooked on her voice! The way she tells a story is addictive.
Two sisters. Different as night and day, although because they’re twins—they look alike.
“Being a mother is hard. Being a daughter is hard. Being a sister, is not a piece of cake either.”
This is a story about two sisters making things right between them. I love stories about sister relationships and the dynamics of it. This story made my heart full.
September 1, 2020
This was my first audiobook ever and I really enjoyed it. The voice was perfect. It’s exactly the right tone for the character. The story was entertaining. And I appreciated that it was short because I was able to finish it while I was cooking dinner and not feel like something was left undone. It made me laugh and it made me want to reach through the headphones to give the twin characters a group hug. I hope Tayari Jones does more original audibles with the same actress. It was dope!
January 16, 2021
This short story about two twin sisters who thought they were much more different than they were was excellent.
They set out on a mission to retrieve what they both consider to be theirs and find a little of themselves on the way.
I enjoyed both Camelia and Amelia as characters and enjoyed hearing about their pasts as well. The banter between the two reminded me of me and my own siblings.
The narrator did a great job!
They set out on a mission to retrieve what they both consider to be theirs and find a little of themselves on the way.
I enjoyed both Camelia and Amelia as characters and enjoyed hearing about their pasts as well. The banter between the two reminded me of me and my own siblings.
The narrator did a great job!
September 7, 2020
This was delightful
January 18, 2023
3.5 stars
July 18, 2021
Narration: 4 stars 🌟
Story/characters: 4 stars 🌟
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Loved this glimpse into the lives of these two:) would have loved to continue on with them (especially Cam).
Well done novella
Story/characters: 4 stars 🌟
----
Loved this glimpse into the lives of these two:) would have loved to continue on with them (especially Cam).
Well done novella
March 31, 2021
This was ok....I'm really not sure if I missed something, but I'm assuming that they were attempting to validate the fact that it was alright for twins to be different....I think...I'm really not sure, but I was able to take that from the story.
March 14, 2021
Another one for the audiobook fans around here: Tayari Jones - author of wonderful novels “An American Marriage” and “Silver Sparrow” among them has an audio only short story out: “Half Light” The story, narrated by the great narrator Bahni Turpin, is about adult identical twins who embark on a caper of deep personal significance, which takes a fun and interesting turn. A great story about sisterhood in the nuclear sense and then as they encounter another younger woman and contemplate their mother’s life sisterhood among women in the more general sense. Fantastic !
December 31, 2020
I feel like this had a nice foundation for a story, but it was too short and felt like it needed more. I would like to see this expanded into a full book so we can see more of Cam's life and how Amelia is doing as a single mom to her teenage daughters.
Amelia and Camelia are interesting characters; Lia is a successful dermatologist trying to do her best as a single mom and Cam is a kickass attorney who hasn't met the right woman yet. We don't learn too much about them as people, just a sense of who they are. I like their relationship, they're twins but completely different people. They have disagreements, but stand by each other and will do anything to help the other.
This was a very quick listen and I'll be looking for more books from this author.
Amelia and Camelia are interesting characters; Lia is a successful dermatologist trying to do her best as a single mom and Cam is a kickass attorney who hasn't met the right woman yet. We don't learn too much about them as people, just a sense of who they are. I like their relationship, they're twins but completely different people. They have disagreements, but stand by each other and will do anything to help the other.
This was a very quick listen and I'll be looking for more books from this author.
August 8, 2021
I read two of Tayari Jones’s short stories for free in Audible, “Half Light” and “Dispossession”. Both were really good but really different types of stories. I think that’s one of her most interesting things. For me, all of her stories and books are good, they are written in similar styles and voices but none of them are really alike, but you can see and feel her throughout. Anyways, I liked this book about a pair of twin sisters healing old wounds and having a mini adventure. It’s narrated by Bahni Turpin, who never misses.
February 3, 2021
Tayari Jones jumps right onto my "characterization genius" list with this one. She does so much with so little, and the narrative itself—twins trying to recover a painting one of them gave to their (now ex-)husband, a painting done of their mother by a famous artist—is a brilliant backdrop for this story about two very different (but identical twin) women, love, and mothers-and-daughters. So good. And the dog also appreciated how many extra long walks he got so I could keep listening.
September 1, 2020
A light 1.5 hour listen on Audible, I picked it up to destress from long work days and all the very serious reading I’ve got scheduled.
I love the narration and the story is very relatable- of women who try to stick to a mold but deep down their own personalities are fighting to be let out. It’s a beautiful telling of the bond of two twin sisters and how they stick together through life. If you’re talking a walk or on a long ride or just want to unwind from all the fast pace hustle, grab a nice drink, dim the lights and and just enjoy this amusing yet touching story.
I love the narration and the story is very relatable- of women who try to stick to a mold but deep down their own personalities are fighting to be let out. It’s a beautiful telling of the bond of two twin sisters and how they stick together through life. If you’re talking a walk or on a long ride or just want to unwind from all the fast pace hustle, grab a nice drink, dim the lights and and just enjoy this amusing yet touching story.
September 1, 2020
Another great work by Tayari Jones. Really enjoyed the well-developed characters (a hallmark of this author), especially the relationship of twin sisters. Funny and meaningful — Jones truly is a master storyteller!
September 28, 2020
This was a borrow under Audible’s new Audible Plus feature and I love Bahni Turpin’s narrations, so I was in!
This is my first experience with Tayari Jones’ writing and I’m definitely impressed. Jones crafts an endearing tale of two sisters who are different yet so clearly of the same heart. What I loved about this is that it’s so real. The history (and the present) contain heartache, laughs, love, and hope. Human. With the added twist of the unique relationship of not only sisters, but identical twins.
Reviews for shorts that I love are hard – because I want to gush without giving it all away. I’ll definitely be listening to more of Tayari Jones in the future.
This is everything I expect and love from Bahni Turpin’s narrations. She gives unique voices and emotions to all the characters. She’s a treat to listen to.
This is my first experience with Tayari Jones’ writing and I’m definitely impressed. Jones crafts an endearing tale of two sisters who are different yet so clearly of the same heart. What I loved about this is that it’s so real. The history (and the present) contain heartache, laughs, love, and hope. Human. With the added twist of the unique relationship of not only sisters, but identical twins.
Reviews for shorts that I love are hard – because I want to gush without giving it all away. I’ll definitely be listening to more of Tayari Jones in the future.
This is everything I expect and love from Bahni Turpin’s narrations. She gives unique voices and emotions to all the characters. She’s a treat to listen to.
September 30, 2020
I’m from the same area of Atlanta as the main characters, Southwest Atlanta. So I felt drawn into this short story listen 🎧. As Amelia and Camelia go on an adventure of sorts they make some discovers that helped not only themselves but a young lady along the way as well discovered that their mother had an intriguing life before them. 4.2 stars as it was worth the download 🌟
January 31, 2024
Twin sisters plan to steal back a painting of their mother from one of their ex husbands. The story is about family and the bond of siblings, especially twins.
It’s always a good listen when Bahni Turpin is narrating. She’s amazing as usual in this short story by the author of An American Marriage. Half Light is a quick listen that was great entertainment for a short car trip I made. I’m loving these Audible Originals from some of my favorite authors. I thought this one was particularly well done.
September 6, 2020
Audible listen that is just over an hour. I love this author and the narrator, sweet story!
August 23, 2026
An engaging short story about women's sense of self and how it's expressed through their relationships.
Audiobook, borrowed from the Audible Plus catalogue. Good performance by Bahni Turpin, who is the reason I borrowed the book.
Audiobook, borrowed from the Audible Plus catalogue. Good performance by Bahni Turpin, who is the reason I borrowed the book.
October 25, 2020
Wonderfully written by Tayari Jones. Wonderfully read by Bahni Turpin. Excellent 80-minute accompaniment to my Saturday chores.
Dewey’s October Read-a-Thon Book 1 Completed
Dewey’s October Read-a-Thon Book 1 Completed
September 1, 2020
Quick, easy read. Enjoyed this one.
September 2, 2020
I already love Tayari Jones’ writing style, but this still managed to really impress me as if I didn’t expect it; she knocked this...short story? out of the park!
This tale of a sibling (twins) relationship & the divorce drama of one of them. How mixing business & family can be good AND rocky at the same time, not just either or.
Tayari does an amazing job making this a satisfying story without a ton of back story and follow up. As avid readers we always want to know everything that happens (I know I do) in these characters’ lives, leading and lagging, but here I am satisfied.
I do have to admit it was a slow start, but it wrapped beautifully; funny, cute, relatable, etc.
This tale of a sibling (twins) relationship & the divorce drama of one of them. How mixing business & family can be good AND rocky at the same time, not just either or.
Tayari does an amazing job making this a satisfying story without a ton of back story and follow up. As avid readers we always want to know everything that happens (I know I do) in these characters’ lives, leading and lagging, but here I am satisfied.
I do have to admit it was a slow start, but it wrapped beautifully; funny, cute, relatable, etc.
September 14, 2020
I love stories about love and friendship, which is ultimately what this is about, and I loved that these sisters were very different but they had a strong bond that carried them through anything. I loved the conversation they had with the young woman and especially the last words Lia said to her. The ending hit exactly the right note and the combination of Bhani Turpin, one of my favorite narrators, and Tayari Jones was just perfect. This book made me laugh and tear up and also just cheer them on! It was a delightful surprise and exactly what I needed!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews