EVERYTHING I DON'T REMEMBER

This subtle and deeply rewarding audiobook poses a devilish problem for the narrator. You probably have to see the text on the page to realize how beautifully narrator Jack Hawkins serves the author's intentions. Trying to learn the truth behind the death of a young mixed-race Swedish man, a journalist is interviewing his roommate, ex-lover, friends, relatives. Was it suicide or accident? Khemiri's story is told by shifting voices with very different levels of reliability, culpability, and understanding, and there is nothing on the page to tell you who is speaking. Hawkins must distinguish the characters' voices just enough that you can learn to recognize them but not before the reader of the print version would. It's a brilliant construction, original and moving, and a challenging, riveting listen. B.G. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2016]