Revisiting one of my favorite books was such a delight. The audiobook was so good and the story was just as engaging as I remembered. I loved every minute of it.

4 stars

I first encountered this book in grade school when a classmate's parent came and read it aloud to us. Because of the added fanfare and the absolutely wild and impactful storyline, I remember a lot of details about this one clearly, including being absolutely terrified that an old man in the body of a 17-year-old might trick me one day.

It was a solid 25 years later when I encountered this book again in print, and in the last few weeks, I've had the chance to read it in two more formats: a graphic novel and now this audiobook. I appreciate this book more each time I read it and as I encounter it at different stages in my life.

This is one of those children's books that shocks folks based on the central motif: death vs. immortality. I love how Babbitt focuses not on the pain of loss, though that's certainly a component, but on the joy of living fully in the time one has. Winnie has choices, and her choices, as well as others' responses to them, tell readers everything we need to know about what seems appealing and what is best in reality.

This book does rip my guts out every time I read it, but it remains an absolute banger. Read with caution. This one is bound to stay with you.

all the stars! a childhood fave! big huge bonus that alexis bledel narrates the 50th anniversary audiobook!

It's hard to believe that the beloved children's novel, Tuck Everlasting, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Returning to this story as an adult reminded me just how much heart, soul, and love this book holds. The story is made even better as this version is narrated by Alexis Bledel, who starred as Winnie Foster in the iconic 2002 film adaptation of the novel. I loved returning to Winnie, the Tuck Family, and the enchanted spring. It's hard to review such a timeless story but I truly found that Alexis Bledel's narration added even more heart to this story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook Tuck Everlasting!

A nostalgic look back at the Natalie Babbitt classic on its 50th anniversary, read by the film adaptation's lead actress Alexis Bledel. This is one of the first books I ever loved, even serving as the inspiration for the name of my first born child. It was lovely to revisit with a fresh new voice.

Review is posted on good reads, and included below.
Run date is effective immediately.

In this 50th anniversary edition (audiobook) narrated by Alexis Bledel, with a foreword from author Gabrielle Zevin is a fever dream to childhood nostalgia.

Bledel is the best person to narrate this audiobook version since she originated the female lead role of Winnie in the 2002 movie adaptation (same title). The tones and inflections Bledel uses throughout the story transports the reader back in time to a whimsical, magical, beautiful, an sad journey when they first read it, and the many rereads after.

With themes of life vs death, right vs wrong (morality), child wanderlust vs inability of adults to see all the magic that surrounds them, and of course, the magic water (see Fountain of Youth).


Zevin, on the other hand, reflects on her own experience reading and rereading this beloved book throughout chapters of her own life. (See reader’s own thoughts above.) The ways in which she describes these personal experiences in the foreword can be universally applied to readers around the globe. This is the true power of what has made Babbitt’s story relevant for 50 years!

Unfortunately Babbitt passed away on Halloween Day 2016. It is such an eerie coincidence considering the main theme (death) and the reason for writing this novel (to help her own children deal with grief). It is truly sad that she didn’t survive to see her book’s lasting legacy. Though this reader imagines her wherever she is, spending all the time she can with Tuck!

What an absolute gem of a production!

I will never forget reading Tuck Everlasting for the first time in my fourth grade class. It was a formative experience. I could feel myself fully inside Natalie Babbitt's gorgeously drawn up world.

This classic of children's literature is one to return to over and over again but this new 50th anniversary audio version is fantastic. Alexis Bledel played Winnie in the 2002 movie version of the book and she does an outstanding job narrating the story from Winnie's perspective. She lends all the necessary gravitas to the all the wonder and thoughtfulness of Babbitt's words. I was moved to tears all over again.