FRIDAY BLACK

Narrators Corey Allen and Carra Patterson perform this collection of powerful stories, most of which are set in a believable future, although some are speculative or dystopian fiction. Allen narrates the bulk of the pieces, giving the prose a free-verse style and letting the author's words and the characters' emotions rise to the surface. Patterson delivers the final two stories in a voice that is world-weary yet tinted with a drop of optimism. The themes include the power divide, minimum-wage work, racism, education, and the consequences of ethical decisions. The strength of these stories lies in how they reflect contemporary society and connect listeners to the characters' journeys. Allen's performance is near perfect, and Patterson's work is equally impressive. C.B.L. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2018]