HERETICS ANONYMOUS

Narrator Michael Crouch demonstrates a wholly satisfying range of teen and adult voices in his performance of Katie Henry's dialogue-rich debut novel. Each of the five boys and girls in the eponymous club, along with assorted family members of various ages, receives a distinct and consistent tone and pitch, making it easy to recognize every speaker in the moment. Although moods range from wryly funny to angry, pompous to thoughtful, and more, Crouch's careful delivery makes him fall away completely, leaving us with Michael and Lucy at the center of a story of smart kids, school rebellion, heartbreak, and credible variations of adolescent faith. Together, Henry and Crouch provide listeners with empathetic youngsters, flawed and disappointing adults, and the clash between desire and circumstances. F.M.R.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2018]