NECESSARY PEOPLE

Vanessa Johansson smoothly narrates this story of intense friendship and its perils. Violet--a quiet, intelligent girl from the wrong side of the tracks--and Stella--a charismatic, rich beauty--become best friends at college. Johansson shines at her adept emotional portrayals of these two very different young women. After college, when Violet excels in a career she loves and comes into her own in New York City, Stella finds herself floundering and jealous. Johansson's slight shifts in tone express the nuances of the characters' shifting relationship. In particular, listeners will feel Stella's fear and tension as her lies and omissions begin to surface. S.K.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2019]