EVERYTHING HERE IS UNDER CONTROL

Narrator Madeleine Lambert speaks as Amanda, a new mother who, with her infant son, Jack, leaves her partner in New York City to return to Ohio to reconnect with her long-estranged best friend, Carrie. The story combines elements of postpartum depression, broken relationships, the 2016 political climate, and new beginnings. Lambert's performance is inconsistent. Amanda has a sing-songy voice that expresses no nuance, pacing, or emotion. Supporting characters, happily, have more life and personality. Carrie's nuanced voice begins with suspicion but slowly opens up to express support for the new mother. Amanda's mother, Jaclyn, is also expressive of her affection for Amanda. If only Amanda's voice had some life. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2020]