The Break
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
The Break
Buy Now for $36.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Michaela Washburn
-
Written by:
-
Katherena Vermette
About this listen
2017 Burt Award for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Literature Finalist
Winner, Amazon.ca First Novel Award
Winner, Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction
Winner, Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award
Winner, McNally Robinson Book of the Year
A Canada Reads 2017 finalist
National Bestseller
2016 Governor General's Literary Award Finalist
2016 Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize Finalist
National Post 99 Best Books of the Year
CBC Best Canadian Debut Novels 2016
Globe and Mail Best 100 Books of 2016
Quill & Quire Book of the Year
Kobo Best Books of the Year
Walrus Magazine The Best Books of 2016
49th Shelf Books of the Year
When Stella, a young Métis mother, looks out her window one evening and spots someone in trouble on the Break - a barren field on an isolated strip of land outside her house - she calls the police to alert them to a possible crime.
In a series of shifting narratives, people who are connected, both directly and indirectly, with the victim - police, family, and friends - tell their personal stories leading up to that fateful night. Lou, a social worker, grapples with the departure of her live-in boyfriend. Cheryl, an artist, mourns the premature death of her sister Rain. Paulina, a single mother, struggles to trust her new partner. Phoenix, a homeless teenager, is released from a youth detention centre. Officer Scott, a Métis policeman, feels caught between two worlds as he patrols the city. Through their various perspectives a larger, more comprehensive story about lives of the residents in Winnipeg's North End is exposed.
A powerful intergenerational family saga, The Break showcases Vermette's abundant writing talent and positions her as an exciting new voice in Canadian literature.
©2016 Katherena Vermette (P)2017 Anansi AudioYou may also enjoy...
-
Maeve Binchy Value Collection
- The Copper Beach, Circle of Friends, The Glass Lake
- Written by: Maeve Binchy
- Narrated by: Fionnula Flanagan
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 18
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 14
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 14
At the heart of every Irish family, the hopes of the future are tied deeply to the dreams of the past. And at the heart of every Maeve Binchy novel, the lives and loves of vividly drawn characters are deftly woven into unforgettable, beautifully realized tales. Now, in this charming audio set, three of Maeve Binchy's classic coming-of-age tales are collected together. These wonderful audio presentations represent the very best work of one of the world's most celebrated authors. And listening to her comforting stories feels just like coming home.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great narrator
- By Karen on 2025-02-20
Written by: Maeve Binchy
-
Time of the Child
- Written by: Niall Williams
- Narrated by: Dermot Crowley
- Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3
Doctor Jack Troy was born and raised in Faha, but his responsibilities for the sick and his care for the dying mean he has always been set apart from the town. His eldest daughter, Ronnie, has grown up in her father’s shadow, and remains there, having missed one chance at love – and passed up another offer of marriage from an unsuitable man. But in the Advent season of 1962, as the town readies itself for Christmas, Ronnie and Doctor Troy’s lives are turned upside down when a baby is left in their care.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Incandescent
- By Rahel S. on 2025-05-02
Written by: Niall Williams
-
Nightcrawling
- A Novel
- Written by: Leila Mottley
- Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 61
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 56
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 56
Kiara and her brother, Marcus, are barely scraping by in a squalid East Oakland apartment complex optimistically called the Regal-Hi. Both have dropped out of high school, their family fractured by death and prison. But while Marcus clings to his dream of rap stardom, Kiara hunts for work to pay their rent—which has more than doubled—and to keep the nine-year-old boy next door, abandoned by his mother, safe and fed.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Such unique writing
- By Kristen B on 2025-04-15
Written by: Leila Mottley
-
Monkey Beach
- A Novel
- Written by: Eden Robinson
- Narrated by: Noelle Kayser
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 266
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 224
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 227
As she races along Canada's Douglas Channel in her speedboat - heading toward the place where her younger brother Jimmy, presumed drowned, was last seen - 20-year-old Lisamarie Hill recalls her younger days. A volatile and precocious Native girl growing up in Kitamaat, the Haisla Indian reservation located 500 miles north of Vancouver, Lisa came of age standing with her feet firmly planted in two different worlds.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Lived inside the story
- By Krow Fischer on 2018-08-14
Written by: Eden Robinson
-
Time's Echo
- The Second World War, the Holocaust, and the Music of Remembrance
- Written by: Jeremy Eichler
- Narrated by: Jeremy Eichler, Sherrill Milnes
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
In 1785, when the great German poet Friedrich Schiller penned his immortal “Ode to Joy,” he crystallized the deepest hopes and dreams of the European Enlightenment for a new era of peace and freedom, a time when millions would be embraced as equals. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony then gave wing to Schiller’s words, but barely a century later these same words were claimed by Nazi propagandists and twisted by a barbarism so complete that it ruptured, as one philosopher put it, “the deep layer of solidarity among all who wear a human face.”
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A fantastic window into history.
- By Pauline on 2023-09-27
Written by: Jeremy Eichler
-
The Last Green Valley
- A Novel
- Written by: Mark Sullivan
- Narrated by: Will Damron
- Length: 16 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 120
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 108
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 106
In late March 1944, as Stalin’s forces push into Ukraine, young Emil and Adeline Martel must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves - murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans? The Martels are one of many families of German heritage whose ancestors have farmed in Ukraine for more than a century.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Poorly written and honestly pretty offensive
- By Blake Matthews on 2022-06-09
Written by: Mark Sullivan
-
Maeve Binchy Value Collection
- The Copper Beach, Circle of Friends, The Glass Lake
- Written by: Maeve Binchy
- Narrated by: Fionnula Flanagan
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 18
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 14
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 14
At the heart of every Irish family, the hopes of the future are tied deeply to the dreams of the past. And at the heart of every Maeve Binchy novel, the lives and loves of vividly drawn characters are deftly woven into unforgettable, beautifully realized tales. Now, in this charming audio set, three of Maeve Binchy's classic coming-of-age tales are collected together. These wonderful audio presentations represent the very best work of one of the world's most celebrated authors. And listening to her comforting stories feels just like coming home.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great narrator
- By Karen on 2025-02-20
Written by: Maeve Binchy
-
Time of the Child
- Written by: Niall Williams
- Narrated by: Dermot Crowley
- Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3
Doctor Jack Troy was born and raised in Faha, but his responsibilities for the sick and his care for the dying mean he has always been set apart from the town. His eldest daughter, Ronnie, has grown up in her father’s shadow, and remains there, having missed one chance at love – and passed up another offer of marriage from an unsuitable man. But in the Advent season of 1962, as the town readies itself for Christmas, Ronnie and Doctor Troy’s lives are turned upside down when a baby is left in their care.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Incandescent
- By Rahel S. on 2025-05-02
Written by: Niall Williams
-
Nightcrawling
- A Novel
- Written by: Leila Mottley
- Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 61
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 56
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 56
Kiara and her brother, Marcus, are barely scraping by in a squalid East Oakland apartment complex optimistically called the Regal-Hi. Both have dropped out of high school, their family fractured by death and prison. But while Marcus clings to his dream of rap stardom, Kiara hunts for work to pay their rent—which has more than doubled—and to keep the nine-year-old boy next door, abandoned by his mother, safe and fed.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Such unique writing
- By Kristen B on 2025-04-15
Written by: Leila Mottley
-
Monkey Beach
- A Novel
- Written by: Eden Robinson
- Narrated by: Noelle Kayser
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 266
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 224
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 227
As she races along Canada's Douglas Channel in her speedboat - heading toward the place where her younger brother Jimmy, presumed drowned, was last seen - 20-year-old Lisamarie Hill recalls her younger days. A volatile and precocious Native girl growing up in Kitamaat, the Haisla Indian reservation located 500 miles north of Vancouver, Lisa came of age standing with her feet firmly planted in two different worlds.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Lived inside the story
- By Krow Fischer on 2018-08-14
Written by: Eden Robinson
-
Time's Echo
- The Second World War, the Holocaust, and the Music of Remembrance
- Written by: Jeremy Eichler
- Narrated by: Jeremy Eichler, Sherrill Milnes
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
In 1785, when the great German poet Friedrich Schiller penned his immortal “Ode to Joy,” he crystallized the deepest hopes and dreams of the European Enlightenment for a new era of peace and freedom, a time when millions would be embraced as equals. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony then gave wing to Schiller’s words, but barely a century later these same words were claimed by Nazi propagandists and twisted by a barbarism so complete that it ruptured, as one philosopher put it, “the deep layer of solidarity among all who wear a human face.”
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A fantastic window into history.
- By Pauline on 2023-09-27
Written by: Jeremy Eichler
-
The Last Green Valley
- A Novel
- Written by: Mark Sullivan
- Narrated by: Will Damron
- Length: 16 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 120
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 108
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 106
In late March 1944, as Stalin’s forces push into Ukraine, young Emil and Adeline Martel must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves - murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans? The Martels are one of many families of German heritage whose ancestors have farmed in Ukraine for more than a century.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Poorly written and honestly pretty offensive
- By Blake Matthews on 2022-06-09
Written by: Mark Sullivan
Related Collections
What listeners say about The Break
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2018-03-20
Every Canadian must read
This is a book that will break your heart and mend it over and over again. It shouldn't be avoided for fear of the tragedy in it, but embraced and experienced for the necessity of the perspective and truth in it. It is as devastating and difficult as it is and compassionate, gentle and soothing. Every Canadian should read this authentically and lovingly told story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alexandra Daignault
- 2018-01-29
Devastating and Breathtaking
This book has been on my to reads for a long time. It absolutely broke me when I read it; however, it is an important and necessary read for all Canadians. The book tackles issues of lateral violence and intergenerational trauma, and comes with a trigger warning. I would highly recommend this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lyndsey
- 2020-09-23
Everyone needs to read or listen to this book!
As a Canadian, it’s important we understand this very important and special culture and work to educate ourselves. This book helped me understand a bit better about my second cousins, who are proud Blackfoot. I am so glad I was able to listen to this story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jessica
- 2018-05-10
Beautiful story of sisterhood
Sad but beautiful story of several generations of women who hold one another up through some terrible experiences. The narration is amazing and really brought the characters to life. Only con is that story is perhaps a little bit slow-moving.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Debra Marsters
- 2020-03-17
Wow!
Such a talented and courageous writer, and the narrator was perfect from start to finish.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Almond Park
- 2020-02-19
Enthralling
The narrator does a beautiful job of catching the characters' different voices. I picked up a print version after listening to the audiobook in a couple of days, but I have not read it yet, and fear it could not be as good as the audiobook. The performance was gripping, dramatic, engaging, and suspenseful. Each character's voice is single, distinct, and memorable. The story has an episode of horrifying violence at its core. One of the puzzles in a first experiencing of the novel is the weird way that violence almost risks being contained too easily -- part of the novelist's brilliance is to take you inside the mind of the perpetrator. Tastes differ, but I found the performance entirely engaging.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Janet Hughes
- 2020-02-19
Excellent!
I bought this book on a whim but it ended up being an excellent book as it was written and performed very well.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2022-10-10
love
this book is about love
the eagle represents love, the eagle flies high and sees everything, close to the creator, who knows everything and why.
this book is about strong women, holding each other up, loving and forgiving each other and themselves.
this book is about strong men, acting quietly in the back ground, making the women stronger.
this book is about truth, respect, humility, courage , honesty, wisdom and love.
this book is about understanding, and that sometimes we can never fully understand.
I fell in love with each character in this book, all important pieces of this great family, the universal family, the family where everyone has their own unique space to fill. we are all little children, if we are victim or the harmful person, this is only for a moment, people change, circumstances change .we will be both at some point in our lives.
life is precious
just breathe
and we all can heal
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michelle
- 2019-11-21
A Real Gem
I was thoroughly engrossed in this book. I liked the way it took the characters and told of the story from their perspective, it worked very well. I found the story to be sad but with hope and happiness there too,
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Erin
- 2020-06-06
A must read
I am so glad I finally listened to this book. The story is both heartbreaking and beautiful. A story about family, resilience, and understanding other's paths. The narration is fantastic, as is the writing.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!