THE PECULIAR MIRACLES OF ANTOINETTE MARTIN

On a Kentucky flower farm, Rose, whose weakened heart is failing, asks her sister, Lily, to return home to care for Antoinette, her special-needs daughter. Andi Arndt performs the majority of this dual-narrator audiobook, giving voice to Lily's and Antoinette's perspectives. Her clear, expressive delivery enlivens the action and highlights the characters' primary concerns, such as Lily's fears of becoming a mother and Antoinette's frustrations at not being able to talk. Using a light Southern accent, Cassandra Campbell presents Rose's journal entries, slowing and softening the narration to mimic the internal musings of the dying woman, which, naturally, focus on the need to protect her daughter. The contrasting delivery styles enhance the listener's experience of the story, which examines contemporary issues through the lens of magical realism. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2016]