Morris, bestselling author of novels The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka’s Journey, and Three Sisters, shares the listening skills and practices she applied during her research into the history behind those stories. Growing up in rural New Zealand, Morris experienced an austere childhood in which children were seen but not heard. Two exceptions were her father and great-grandfather, who taught her how to listen through their respectful conversations with her. These skills served Morris well when she met Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew who survived the Holocaust, whose story she eventually retells in fiction. While most of Listening Well is framed by Morris’ experiences interviewing and befriending Lale, she also relates the backstories behind her two other novels, both of which required her to listen closely to extract the remarkable true stories of Holocaust survivors. Interspersed throughout the book are practical tips for listening to children, the elderly, and others. This is a thoughtful and insightful exploration of how listening skills are important in everyday life as well as when one is conducting research. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Morris’ fiction and those who would like to improve their listening skills.
Review published originally in Library Journal 147:6 (2022): 155.
