A SON AT THE FRONT

If Edith Wharton is an acquired taste, then this audiobook, narrated superbly by Robin Siegerman, is an ideal first course. Set during WWI, the novel highlights the efforts of a young man's parents to keep him out of the war. Instead of avoiding the fighting, the recent college graduate joins the French army. Wharton's dialogue is precise, and her narrative brings even the most mundane moments to life. But it is on the battlefield and in other graphic scenes that the skills of Siegerman complement or enhance the story. Siegerman channels Wharton, using inflection, tone, and a sense of emotion that keeps the listener focused until the audiobook's satisfying conclusion. D.J.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2021]