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Would You Like to Choose the Race?  By  cover art

Would You Like to Choose the Race?

By: Arvind Ethan David
Narrated by: Christina Elmore, Adam Campbell, Nyasha Hatendi, Anne Montavon, Odetta Elsie N’jie David
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Publisher's summary

Henry and Nomi are thrilled to find out they’re going to be parents. There is so much to think about, so many decisions they’ll need to make, about feeding schedules and childcare and schools. But there’s one decision they never would have imagined facing, and even considering the choice is a minefield of emotions and experiences and expectations.

After all, the only thing that hangs in the balance is the course of their child’s life.

Would You Like to Choose the Race? is written by Arvind Ethan David and stars Christine Elmore as Nomi Cook and Adam Campbell as Henry Cook.

Earworms is a series of short speculative-fiction dramas–tales of what might have been...or might yet be...or perhaps in fact are, if only you were paying attention...if only you were listening.

©2024 Prodigal, Inc. (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC.

About the Creator

Arvind Ethan David is a writer and producer who works across film, TV, stage, publishing, and audio.
In television, Arvind was an executive producer of Douglas Adams's Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (for which he also wrote the graphic novel series and co-wrote the stage play) and is a writer on Neil Gaiman’s forthcoming Anansi Boys for Amazon Studios.
His graphic novels include the Stoker Award-nominated series Darkness Visible (with Mike Carey) and Gray, a reimagining of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. His next graphic novel, forthcoming from Penguin Random House, is an adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe mystery Trouble Is My Business.
Arvind is a principal of Prodigal, the entertainment company where he has produced eight feature films including the Asian Academy Award-winning The Garden of Evening Mists and theatrical shows including the Tony- and Grammy-winning Alanis Morissette musical Jagged Little Pill.
Other work for Audible includes the hit Original The Neil Gaiman at the End of the Universe and The Crimes of Dorian Gray.

About the Performer

About the Performer

Film, television, and theatre actor Christina Elmore has quickly proven herself to be one of the most versatile and talented actresses in the industry. With an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and an MFA in acting from American Conservatory Theater, Christina has lent her talents to both stage and screen.
The actress can recently be seen as Condola on HBO’s critically acclaimed series Insecure, for which she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. After five seasons as a series regular on TNT's hit series The Last Ship, Elmore went on to star as Marie in Lena Waithe's Twenties on BET. The show follows three friends as they chase their dreams in Los Angeles and try to figure out life, love, and the professional world.
Up next, Elmore will appear in Girls on the Bus from HBO. The show follows four female journalists who follow the every move of a parade of flawed presidential candidates, finding friendship, love, and a scandal that could take down not just the presidency but our entire democracy along the way.
Other film and television credits include Ryan Coogler's Fruitvale Station, HBO’s Lady Bouncer, and CBS’s pilot Under the Bridge. On stage, Christina has portrayed iconic roles such as Juliet at Los Angeles Shakespeare Company and Monique in the world premiere of Adam Rapp's The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois at South Coast Rep. Christina is repped by SDB Partners, Odenkirk Provissiero, Attorneys John Meigs and Mahid Salahi, and The Lede Company.

About the Performer

About the Performer

Adam Campbell was born in Bath, England, and trained in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Campbell has led series such as NBC’s Great News, and ABC’s Mixology. He has also had recurring roles on HBO’s Hello Ladies, Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and CBS’s NCIS. His diverse television credits include appearances in Dice, Drunk History, 2 Broke Girls, Parenthood, and Up All Night.
On the big screen, he was featured in The Five-Year Engagement, as well as Fox’s spoof films Date Movie and Epic Movie, where he met his wife, Jayma Mays. He now resides in Los Angeles with his wife and their son, Jude.

What listeners say about Would You Like to Choose the Race?

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Thought provoking with many strengths and a few weaknesses.

Deconstruction of the notion of race was mostly well done except for outdated terminology like slaves and slave owners. Also Biracial kids who have parents who make racial jokes like the dad does about Native Americans sometimes struggle and feel like they’re a joke so maybe don’t gloss over the impact of Henry doing that in the beginning. . Other than that, well done.

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Food for thought

I first of all love the extra sound and the performance of the voice actors I also like how it’s a real question that people really could ask today

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    3 out of 5 stars
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This is the future . . .

I’m always pleased when speculative fiction does what it is supposed to do which is not only to make one think about the future we’re heading toward, but to also examine where we are.

In that regard this story is extremely timely. This is a conversation many potential partners need to discuss even without the science fictions elements. I respect a creator espousing a view or preference even if it’s one I disagree with; writing is still art after all, so I have no problems with things a character might say and do as some people might. I can’t control what people say and think in the real world, what makes one think they should have a say about it in fiction? My only problem with the story, is that it becomes less a story in the third act and more of a lecture. So much so that while I’m not sorry I listened to it, I most likely will only listen to it the one time.

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Thought provoking

Thought provoking and a lot of substance in a short story. Really beautiful in the end.

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First time parents

Real short premise of this book, which I hope becomes a classic must read in the near future, a biracial couple is given a choice of what race they want their unborn child to be and they have three days to decide or the “mold” is set to pure genetics. This book leaves out things such as cost, since the health insurance is going to cover this non-invasive nudge. Easy peasy then the majority of parents in the world with good health insurance could have some form of a white baby. How much easier could the world be to divide rather than blend.

I digress, as the insurance covering an easy non-invasive procedure really little to do with this short book, but is worth mentioning for people that like to think. Getting to the real heart of the book is whether or not the parents would choose an easier life for their unborn child. The book does briefly discuss some of the difficulties black children and people have faced over the years; however, that gives part to what a difficult decision it would be because most parents want what is best for their kids.

Wanting what is best for their kids is a first time parent dream. This dream has diminishing returns. I then found myself yelling at the characters to let it be. Let your child become the glorious person he is meant to be. I had full realization that I must be a naturalist.

After the book ended is where I decided that I hope many people will read or listen to this book. Let it become a classic. This is no offense to anyone, but in a world where 20 year olds think they need Botox to look younger, people are willing to take miracle medicines at $1K per month to lose weight, and scientist are willing to bring back extinct animals that we as a species should learn to mourn, maybe we should really put some deep thought into being pushed in certain directions or being divide by race or a social class.

Again, this is another great book by Arvin Ethan David. It is short, please read. If not, please think about how decisions are impactful and what are the purpose of those decisions. Are we as a society being lead?

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Racial Framework

Loved it! Provocative, confusing, insightful, deep, real-world, timely, engaging, informative, and lovely. Thoroughly enjoyed this creative piece of fiction.

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well written, thought provoking

I enjoyed this story. the concept was intriguing. the subject matter handled well. well written story. would recommend

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We reject the framework!

Loved it!!!!! Pls write more. I look forward to reading listening to more of your mind.

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Heavy

As a person who listens to audiobooks to excape reality this is one of those titles that make you stop and think about our society as a whole.It is a little to deep, but you probably got that already. A modern short form American racial 1984.

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What a fascinating mindset

"Would You Like to Choose the Race?" is a thought-provoking and engaging audiobook that explores the concept of race and identity in the context of a fictional society where individuals can choose their own race. Through this thought experiment, David delves into the complexities of race, power dynamics, and social hierarchy.

Here are some key points from the audiobook:

* David presents a compelling argument that race is a social construct, and that the concept of race is often used to maintain power and privilege.
* He explores the idea that if individuals could choose their own race, it could potentially disrupt the existing social hierarchy and challenge the status quo.
* David also raises important questions about the implications of such a system, including the potential for cultural appropriation and the erasure of marginalized experiences.
* Through his thought experiment, David encourages listeners to think critically about the ways in which race operates in our society and to consider the possibilities of a more fluid and inclusive understanding of identity.

Overall, I found "Would You Like to Choose the Race?" to be a thought-provoking and engaging audiobook that challenges listeners to think critically about the complexities of race and identity. David's use of a fictional society as a thought experiment allows him to explore these complex issues in a unique and compelling way.

I specifically found the part where Henry tells Nomi that it is essentially her decision about if they move forward with a decision and she replied back with No, it's not just my decision this is our baby and you are the father you have just as much right as i do we'll make this decision together.

Giving the opinion that Father's have equal rights as to the decisions of their unborn children. it's just too bad that this is a fictional society because in real life Father's are second class citizens and have no rights when it comes to their unborn children.

No one should tell anyone what they should or shouldn't do with their body but it's personal responsibility to accept the actions of your behavior and if a decision to end a life that was created is just a one sided choice that is unfair to the father and to the unborn child. Parents should have equal rights because they are both just as responsible as the other and contribute emotionally, financially, and genetically to their child's future. Hence, it is only fair that both have an equal say in decisions that significantly impact their offspring.

Just like in this audiobook they had a choice and they made it together considering each other's feelings and beliefs.

What a wonderful world that would be.

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