THE SALT ROADS

Narrator Bahni Turpin weaves a tapestry of accents and experiences in this layered fantasy. The birth and burial of a slave's stillborn child on the island now known as Haiti unleashes the power of the goddess Ezili into the lives of women stretching across centuries. Turpin's gifts as a narrator make this rich concept sing as she shifts seamlessly among accents and tones fitting not only the main characters but also a vast array of others inhabiting very different worlds. From midwife Mer's frequent vocalizations of surprise and resignation to Jeanne's flirty, flighty French tones to the surprisingly modern observations of the former Nubian prostitute known as Saint Mary, the women Turpin voices are all distinct and memorable. Turpin's performance draws listeners into this top-notch production. N.M. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2019]