STORM-WAKE

Lucy Tregear's narration teases out the magical elements of an enchanted island in this story loosely rooted in Shakespeare's TEMPEST. Pa and Moss believe themselves to be the only humans on a planet destroyed by floods. The arrival of the fish-like Cal and, later, two shipwrecked teenage sailors punctures this reality. Tregear is at home with the lyrical and rhythmic prose, especially Christopher's use of repetition and flowery description. Her narration falls short of creating truly distinct characters, and some scenes blend together, at times lulling even the most careful of listeners. But Tregear's tone captures the undercurrent of darkness in Pa's treatment of Cal and Moss's ruminations on puberty and life before the island. E.A.N. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2019]