SQUEEZED Why Our Families Can't Afford America

Narrator Carly Robins takes her tone for much of this narration from the author's anger at the predicament of "the middle precariat," the struggling (often failing) middle class. These are the families who are trying to hold onto jobs, homes, and status in the face of declining salaries, uncertain work, and rising costs. But Robins's pervasive tone of wry cynicism and arch disapproval toward the status quo soon becomes tiresome. Eventually, however, she varies her tone as the book changes focus. From that point, she is admirably clear, energetic, and adept at conveying the emotions behind the issues. Unfortunately, her pronounced lisp is distracting and has to be gotten used to after every break from listening. Still, her expressiveness and deftness in conveying sense overcome the reading's shortcomings and make for a generally positive experience. W.M. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2018]