Audible Announces First-Ever Short-Form Literary Original Slate

Introducing short original fiction audio-only titles from Audible. Written by acclaimed authors such as Tayari Jones, André Aciman, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, Courtney Maum and Rufi Thorpe and masterfully performed by award-winning performers Bahni Turpin, Edoardo Ballerini, and actress Kate Mara, this summer slate of short Audible Originals is comprised of listens that are all between 30 minutes to 2.5 hours—perfect for enjoying in one sitting.

The slate includes Half Light by Tayari Jones, performed by Bahni Turpin From Tayari Jones, author of the New York Times bestseller and Oprah’s Book Club pick An American Marriage, comes an intimate, powerful story of identical twin sisters who hatch a plan to steal back a priceless family heirloom from a philandering husband. Set against the vibrant backdrop of present-day Atlanta, Half Light explores the complex, profound bond of family, both the family we’re born with and the family we choose. Jones is one of the most acclaimed writers of her generation. Oprah Winfrey has said of her work: “It’s among Tayari’s many gifts that she can touch us soul to soul with her words.”

The Gentleman from Peru by Andre Aciman, performed by Edoardo Ballerini André Aciman is the New York Times bestselling author of Call Me By Your Name, which was made into the 2018 Academy Award winning film of the same name. His Audible Original, The Gentleman from Peru, centers on a group of wealthy college friends marooned near Positano while their yacht is repaired. At their hotel, they meet a mysterious, fiftyish man who has psychic and healing powers. One of the students is especially attracted to him, and he leads her on a journey into a past life.

The Getaway by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, performed by Kate Mara #1 New York Times bestselling authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen are known for their “fiendishly smart” (New York Times), “deliciously clever” (USA Today) thrillers. Acclaimed Kate Mara (House of Cards) performs. In The Getaway, we meet Chloe Powell, freshly unemployed after her boss loses a reelection campaign. A flyer posted at her yoga studio leads her to the Lakewood Retreat: organic meals, celebrity testimonials and a serene private property within driving distance of DC. But once she arrives, Chloe realizes this getaway and her enigmatic host are not as they seem. A pulse-pounding story from the first minute to the last, The Getaway explores the weight of the small choices we make every day, and their staggering, unintended consequences.

This is Not Your Fault by Courtney Maum From the critically acclaimed author of I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You comes a short story about a couple in the throes of divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which a husband and wife’s legal paperwork and co-parenting forms create a portrait of a strained marriage in an unprecedented time.

Everyone’s Happy by Rufi Thorpe From the critically acclaimed author of The Knockout Queen comes a darkly humorous story that charts the friendship between two kindergarten moms and exposes the absurdity of everything from playground drama to marriage to Goodreads reviews.

For more information on this title, please visit audible.com/upcomingoriginals.