DESIERTO SONORO

This imaginative novel weaves several different threads: a family road trip, historical and personal experiences, and the effects of the U.S. immigration crisis on children. Mexican actor Marina De Tavira's narration, clear and well paced, is most effective when she is portraying children. Sound effects, often ghostly echoes, contribute to the dreamy atmosphere of the story. However, while this work is quite original, it is not ideally suited to the audio format. For example, when De Tavira delivers the contents of sidebars, which comprise various extensive lists, the listener may lose track of the context. Listening with the written text at hand would make it easier to experience the full intended effect of this novel. S.E.G. 2022 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2022]