Tuck Everlasting AUDIO by Natalie Babbitt is the reading of a classic young people’s book. It was much criticized in the beginning, but compared to what is being published now, it has earned its status as an iconic childhood read. It’s readers, Alexis Blendel and Gabrielle Zevin made me almost believe they were sitting by my bedside, reading me a nighttime tale. The addition of subtle sound effects: the music box, the spring, lent it the impression of being in a fantasy that is so richly deserves. It is a fantasy, never meant to be taken as literal, but instead the world through the eyes of a child. It deals with some difficult concepts: death and trusting adults, are two. And it happens organically and takes the listener back their own childhood. Lovely rendition. Simple compared to modern life and literature.

I was invited to listen to Tuck Everlasting by Macmillan Audio and couldn’t be happier. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #MacmillanAudio #AlexisBlendel #GabrielleZevin #NatalieBabbitt #TuckEverlasting

Listening to Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt on audio was such a magical experience. The story itself is timeless—literally—with its hauntingly beautiful question of what it means to live forever versus truly living. Hearing it performed aloud by Alexis Bledel was amazing! It made the lyrical writing and the dreamy, slightly melancholy atmosphere even more powerful. She brought warmth and personality to the Tuck family, tenderness to Winnie, and just the right amount of menace to the man in the yellow suit. It felt like sitting by a fire and having a fable told directly to me. If you’ve ever loved this story before, the audiobook breathes new life into it, and if you’ve never read it, this is the perfect way to fall under its spell.

This was much better than I remember when I originally read it in middle school. Of course, Alexis Bedel was the perfect narrator for this title.

Tuck Everlasting was such a special read for me as a pre-teen (circa 2006)! It was the first book that felt alive in my hands. I remember reading it aloud in 6th grade. Getting to the part of the story were Mae, Miles, and Jesse recount the spring made me smile from ear to ear. While listening to Alexis Bledel narrate, I felt like the first sip of morning cuppa, perfect and comforting. I loved the way she portrayed Mae and Tuck. It truly captured how I view them in the family and amongst the people of Treegap. The story flows beautifully from her and feels like a time capsule for me.

I cannot recommend this experience enough! SO good!

My review is for the 50th anniversary edition audiobook which has an introduction at the beginning. If this is your first time reading the book and you are going in cold, skip the introduction as it spoils the plot. Introductions like this are a crime.

The narration is good and the addition of music/nature sound effects was PERFECT. It was calming and really set the tone. I always thought this was magical romance book but was very surprised to have it feel more creepy and sinister, like Something Wicked This Way Comes. I like how it handles the theme of death and doesn't talk down to children reading the book.

However. Fmc is TEN years old, kidnapped against her will, and a 17 year old wants to marry her.

Such a beautiful story. I first read this book when I was about 12 years old and I loved it then. Having the opportunity to read it again as an adult was such a special experience for me, and it was really interesting to take it all in again. It was just as emotional as I remember it being, and it poses many questions to the reader as to what they would do in this situation.

It was so lovely to listen to this anniversary edition of the audiobook read by Alexis Bleidel! Although I had seen the movie several years ago, I had never read the book. I think readers of all ages will enjoy this audiobook of the classic, read by Winnie herself.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from Netgalley and the publisher. The above opinions are completely my own.

Thank you so much for the chance to listen to the new recording of Tuck Everlasting.
Having Alexis Bledel do the narration was something almost magical. It brought me right back to my childhood and reading it for the first time. I can't wait to purchase this and enjoy it with my daughter.

"Tuck Everlasting" so vividly captures the feeling of childhood, and the 50th anniversary audiobook brings it to life beautifully. The narration is pitch-perfect, enhanced by subtle sound design that deepens the story’s nostalgic, magical tone. I can’t recommend it highly enough, it had me sobbing.

I had never read this beloved children's classic and was happy to receive a listening copy of the 50th anniversary edition. I was surprised by the fluidity of the story and the evocative quality of the language. I also surprised, however, at how not sad it was... I seemed to have been prepped by the conversations around this book to expect a sad story about death and dying, but the story hardly touched on any of those themes, and it may have been too short to tug at any of my heartstrings. It was there, mind you, but very subtly. It just felt like a quick and interesting story with a more than a little bit of whimsy.

The audio for this story was excellent. The narration by Alexis Bledel was top notch and the addition of the music box sounds was absolutely stellar; It elevated the narrative.

One of my favorite books! Alexis Bledel does a great narration. I remember when the movie came out and she starred as Winnie. She was the perfect Winnie so naturally her narrating the book is a fantastic choice. I've read Tuck Everlasting multiple times but this was the first time I've listened to it. This will be the only narration I would listen to. She really brought an already wonderful story to life. I also enjoyed the author's note at the beginning of the audiobook. Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!

4.5 stars
Believe it or not, I don’t think I’ve ever read Tuck Everlasting before. In my defense, I grew up in Canada and it wasn’t quite a classic yet when I was in elementary school! I enjoyed Alexis Bledel’s narration. I felt the story held up very well over time- which is a rare thing in these days- though there are some things, like hanging for murder, that don’t translate well in the 21st century. I’m glad I listened to this book and feel like it’s one I’ll revisit again!

I don’t know if they give Oscars for audiobooks but this one deserves it. The performance is STUNNING.

When I was little, about ten or so, I was given the luxury of a cassette player in my own room. I can still remember the click of the drawer, settling the little plastic brick into place in the machine, the soft not-quite-silence before the first words began.

“Macmillan Audio presents: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Narrated by Peter Thomas.” Each line its own sentence, released into the dark of my room. An invisible curtain opening in my mind.

On a summer night, with window open to support the efforts of an aggressive ceiling fan, my audiobooks often had a natural accompaniment from the woods outside my house. The trill of cicadas and crickets, the percussive work of a woodpecker, the soft call of an owl.

I was captivated by Natalie Babbitt’s fantastical and wise words. The Search for Delicious was another repeated listen.

First published in 1975, before I was born, I listened to the 50th anniversary edition as a 35 year-old adult. Contemporary author Gabrielle Zevin (Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow), talks about the uncanny and inevitable passing of time in her forward for the 50th Anniversary Edition.

With the bulk of this dual perspective told through the eyes of ten-year-old Winnie, this book has always deserved a female voice. There’s something incredibly special about hearing one of my favorite stories read by the actress who played Winnie in the 2002 film adaptation.

From the start, Alexis Bledel’s clear and musical voice wraps around Babbitt’s beautiful description of Tree Gap, inviting you inside the story.

If you’re new to the book, you’re in for a treat. And if you’re returning after years away, you’ll discover an old friend with new things to teach you.

Such a fun, nostalgic read. The audio was beautiful, read by Alexis Bliedel. Her narration brought such a sweet innocence to the reading and was the perfect choice!

I saw this book frequently growing up but never actually read it, so I decided it was time to give it a try. I liked the idea of a work for younger readers exploring death and life, immortality and the brevity of life. The writing style is descriptive and immersive, creating a well-drawn picture for the reader. There were a few things that I didn’t prefer, including the reliance on coincidences, a couple little plot holes, and that age gap, but I wonder if I’d read this when I was young if I really would have noticed or cared about any of those things.

Overall, this is a decent read that I think would be good for middle school readers. My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was my first time experiencing Tuck Everlasting, having heard about it I didn't know what it was about so went in blind. Considered a modern classic I was excited to read...well I listened to the audiobook. The special 50th anniversary edition releases Sept 2.

Tuck Everlasting is a gentle story of life, mortality and what it means to truly live. Sounds like a heavy load but it wasn't really. The narration was clear, though maybe at times a little too subdued. I didn't really feel the key emotional moments, might have been different if I had read the book. The tension lacked somewhat, I wasn't drawn in like I had hoped. The story itself was interesting enough and for middle grade readers it fits the bill. There is adventure, mystery and family all packed in.

It isn't a long audiobook and the book itself is only 148 pages, a nice way to spend a rainy (or hot, hot) afternoon.

My thanks to Macmillan Audio for an e-audio in exchange for a honest review.

Somehow I missed reading Tuck Everlasting as a kid, but the themes feel just as fresh and powerful now as an adult, and as they must have 50 years ago. This edition is truly enchanting. Alexis Bledel’s narration is gentle, emotive, and perfectly matched to the story’s magic (Alexis narrate more books challenge).

If you’ve also skipped this one until now, the story follows young Winnie Foster, who stumbles upon the mysterious Tuck family and the spring that changed their lives forever. What follows is a thoughtful, moving tale about choice, mortality, and what it really means to live. What a timeless treasure. Glad I finally got around to reading/listening!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, and NetGalley for the advance listening copy.

As a devoted fan of Tuck Everlasting (it is my comfort film, I listen to songs from the score at least 3-4 times a week, and I have a tattoo inspired by the music box), I went to NetGalley immediately upon seeing an announcement about the release of the 50th anniversary edition with Alexis Bledel as narrator. Given the fact that it’s been 20+ years since I read the novel, I approached listening to the audiobook with rather fresh ears— that is, I became wholly engrossed as if reading it for the first time. Needless to say, my experience was nostalgic and rather poignant, for I had forgotten just how much magic Natalie Babbitt’s words possess. Coupled with Alexis’s voice, the audiobook definitely is not one to miss.

Alexis’s narration immediately captured my attention. Like her movie counterpart, Elisabeth Shue, her voice has a lilt that soothes/reassures you and provides a cadence to the action and dialogue. Though her voice at times sounded eerily similar to how she spoke as Winnie in the film, it deviated enough to distinguish not only the narrator, but each character. Though one might question whether or not the other actors were approached to record their parts (I certainly did), upon reflection, it is obvious why the audiobook is just Alexis. Even though Tuck Everlasting is told from a 3rd person perspective, it is Winnie’s story, not the Tucks’. In relaying said point of view, Alexis conveyed all the frustration, confusion, and wonder that encapsulate Winnie’s experience with the Tucks. I was particularly moved when she spoke of Tuck himself, for I had forgotten that Babbitt had established that Tuck was elated to meet Winnie (from which the film deviated). His talk with Winnie on the row boat obviously was memorable too. Alexis’s choice of pitch and tone held the correct amount of gravitas, while providing the situation with a bit of levity given the fact that Winnie didn’t altogether believe that the Tucks were immortal.

Despite the innocence that Winnie perceived with respect to the Tucks, the moments of interaction between her and Jesse still seemed off, as Jesse’s eagerness to ask Winnie about marrying her at 17 cannot be explained away. Obviously, the fault lies with Natalie Babbitt and not the narrator of the audiobook. That said, I wish Alexis would have touched on that topic in a content warning (especially for anyone who hasn’t read the novel before). It also would have been lovely if Alexis had said a few words of her own about the novel and her experience revisiting the story and the world.

The inclusion of the music box melody was a wonderful touch and homage to Babbitt’s magic. It too felt comforting and unique, as it is different from the melody used in the film.

All in all, this edition of the audiobook is fantastic and definitely is a love letter to the fans of the film and the novel.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an ARC!

I adored Tuck Everlasting as a kid, and listening to it on audio today reminded me exactly why. The timeless story, beautiful writing, and thought-provoking message about life and immortality still hold the same magic. It’s tender, bittersweet, and unforgettable, just as perfect now as it was then.

Bravo to Alexis Bledel for the amazing audio!!!