TWO DESERTS Stories

Carol Monda, with her lovely seasoned alto voice , is the lead narrator in these varied stories. Her expressive performance is affecting, as is the work of the rest of these terrific actors. There are more than two deserts here. One is the literal Arabian one, while other stories deal with emotional climates. The devolution of a loving marriage being crushed by the young husband's Lou Gehrig's disease is expertly voiced by Hillary Huber in distinct episodes, and this thread, along with the excruciating story of a gay priest in the Alaskan outback, is often painful to experience. Other stories are surreal or parodic, sometimes sensual, sometimes gripping, and often funny. Brickman shows great range here, and the well-chosen cast does the material justice. B.G. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2020]