PERFECT LITTLE WORLD

Thérèse Plummer’s thoughtful narration ably explores this offbeat novel’s meditation on family. The story features Izzy Poole, a pregnant high school graduate who receives an intriguing offer from Dr. Preston Grind to join a research project called The Infinite Family in which parents collectively rear their offspring. Plummer narrates Izzy’s thoughts with a musing, restrained tone even when cracks in the collective family threaten the group’s perfect little world. When occasional flashes of passion and anger reverberate, they’re all the more striking against the quiet backdrop Plummer creates. She voices a large cast of characters and deftly distinguishes each, with Izzy being especially delightful. Plummer’s intimate tone invites listeners to reflect on the poignant imperfections inherent in families of all kinds. J.C.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2017]