AVENUE OF MYSTERIES

What kind of environment shapes the creation of an artist? John Irving's new novel is deftly aided in this exploration by talented narrator Armando Duran. Juan Diego was a "dump kid" in Oaxaca, Mexico, with a crippled foot and a sister with mystical powers. Duran affects a friendly, curious tone as the episodic events of Juan's life enlighten and entertain Irving's fans as well as new readers who may be intrigued by the settings, characters, and leisurely pace of the story. This is a long, immersive read that harkens to the best of Dickens. Duran is most potent as the now-aging novelist finds his answers to the question of how an artist develops. R.O. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2015]