THE SHADOW LAND

Kostova, author of THE HISTORIAN, delivers a convoluted saga spanning decades that allows the four outstanding narrators to shine. American Alexandra Boyd relocates to Sofia, Bulgaria, to teach English. Upon her arrival, a mishap with luggage leaves her with someone else's bag, which contains an ornately carved wooden box filled with cremated remains. Determined to locate the owners and return the box, Alexandra becomes entangled in Bulgarian history ranging from WWII through the Communist takeover in the 1940s to the present. While Kostova's lengthy novel would have been better served with fewer digressions into minutiae, Barrie Kreinik wonderfully carries the bulk of the narrative, while Fred Berman, Barbara Caruso (wonderful as Baba Yana), and George Guidall handle their parts with professional expertise. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2017]