The Forest Becomes Her, Julie Carrick Dalton
The Forest Becomes Her, Julie Carrick Dalton
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
Club: $13.49

The Forest Becomes Her
A Novel

Author: Julie Carrick Dalton

Narrator: Alexandra Ryan, Jennifer Blom, Mia Hutchinson-Shaw

Unabridged: 11 hr 17 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/14/2026

Categories: Fiction, Women, Fantasy, Nature

Synopsis

The perfect choice for your next book club: Julie Carrick Dalton's The Forest Becomes Her is a timely, unforgettable novel about three women from different generations navigating the complexities of family, grief, the impacts of our choices, and our deep connections to the natural world beneath our feet.

This program features multicast narration.

In historic, bucolic Concord, Massachusetts, a centuries-old forest has been removed to make way for a new, eco-friendly housing development. The locals are upset by the destruction, but out-of-towners like Hazel Stoddard are flocking to put down roots in their new guilt-free dream homes.

Soon a tragedy leaves Hazel unmoored in her new life, and she begins to feel the pull of the absent forest. Hazel is not alone—her neighbors, real estate agent Stella Flint and teenage environmentalist Polly Bauer, each have their own trauma and relationship to the land. The three women are drawn together to save the last remaining oak tree, or they risk losing themselves to lingering shadows that only they can see.

In The Forest Becomes Her, Julie Carrick Dalton evocatively explores the power of multigenerational female relationships, the ever-evolving female form, humanity’s connection to our changing world, and the unexpected mysteries of nature.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press

About Julie Carrick Dalton

As a journalist, JULIE CARRICK DALTON has published more than a thousand articles in The Boston Globe, BusinessWeek, The Hollywood Reporter, Orion Magazine, Electric Literature, and other publications. A former beekeeper and organic farmer, she is a frequent speaker on the topic of writing fiction in the age of climate crisis and is a member of the teaching faculty at Drexel University’s MFA Program. When she isn’t reading, writing, or teaching, you can probably find her skiing, swimming, kayaking, working in her garden, or trying to keep track of her four children and two dogs.

About Mia Hutchinson-Shaw

Mia Hutchinson-Shaw (she/her) performs across Audiobooks, Stage, and Screen. She has narrated 100+ books and voiced stories featured as New York Times, USA Today, and Indie Booksellers Bestsellers. She is a Booklist Editors' Choice Award Winner. She has also been recognized by The School Library Journal, Apple Books Must Listen, BookRiot, Vulture, and AudioFile.At the heart of her work is a love for character driven debauchery and nuance, setting as character, and a dry bent of comedy. From satirical lit fic, to queer coming of age YA, to sunshine girls fighting inner (or actual) demons, she champions themes of resilience, discovery, and awe.Trained at Interlochen Arts Academy (Theater) and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (BFA Acting) she brings a zealous and rigorous love of language and accents to her work.Having called the seashore of Massachusetts, the rockies of Montana, the sand dunes of Michigan, and the friendly streets of Glasgow all home, she now resides in NYC. She is always on the look out for a good walk, big vista, and an excellent thrift store.

Reviews

There are currently no user reviews for this audiobook.

Quotes

"A lush, lyrical exploration of sisterhood, rage, and the sacred ties between women and the wild. Blending beauty and depth, book clubs will find plenty to untangle in this urgent and moving tale." —Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Amalfi Curse and The Lost Apothecary

"A brilliantly evocative story of environmental crisis and human resilience...The Forest Becomes Her is a compelling story of intergenerational compassion and care that soars like the great oak at its heart." —Bruce Holsinger, nationally bestselling author of Culpability

"The Forest Becomes Her is a lush, aching meditation on loss, transformation, and the quiet power of women who refuse to be quiet. Julie Carrick Dalton has conjured a landscape that remembers everything — and gives us characters we won't soon forget." —Lily Brooks-Dalton, national bestselling author of The Light Pirate

"Dalton writes with extraordinary power and beauty about both the outside wilderness and the wildness inside women's bodies, connecting the two in surprising and magnificent ways. A primal scream, and an exhilarating and unforgettable novel." —Katie Gutierrez, author of GMA Book Club pick More Than You'll Ever Know

"A sweeping, evocative novel about three women's collective battle to save the land that sustains them. Under Julie Carrick Dalton's spell, I mourned and rejoiced with each woman as she confronted the age-old question of why we hurt the people and places we most love. An unforgettable read." —Kirstin Chen, New York Times bestselling author of Counterfeit

"Bursts with heart, emotion, and wisdom...timely and important, The Forest Becomes Her is Carrick Dalton at the height of her storytelling prowess." —Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling Author of Beach House Rules

"A beautifully wrought tale that intertwines motherhood, Mother Nature, and mysticism in unexpected ways. Dalton’s lyrical storytelling captures the aching pull of the land and the bonds that tether us to one another." —Karen Winn, author of Our Little World and The Society

Praise for The Last Beekeeper


"Dalton's passion and love for the natural world vibrates gloriously off every page. The Last Beekeeper is not only an intriguing mystery but an important reminder of what we stand to lose." —Charlotte McConaghy, New York Times bestselling author of Once There Were Wolves

"Filled with meditations on the fragile beauty of nature and the power of hope and resilience, this heartfelt novel will keep readers turning the pages late into the night." —Angie Kim, internationally bestselling author of Miracle Creek

"Dalton weaves an intricate story of friendships carefully made and tended when mere survival would seem to make such bonds impossible. The Last Beekeeper is ingeniously plotted, both clever and tender on every page. I couldn’t put it down." —Rebecca Scherm, author of A House Between Earth and the Moon

Pre-Order
Add to Wish List