AFTERLAND

Bianca Amato's performance captures the tension that permeates this near-future story of plague and pursuit. Cole and her 12-year-old son, Miles, are on the run, trying to get from the U.S. to South Africa, their home. Miles is disguised as a girl. He survived a male-killing plague that struck the world a few years earlier and is now quite a valuable commodity. Cole's ill-intentioned sister is on their trail, and for Miles, puberty and voice change also are growing ever closer. The South African Amato's performance is excellent. Much of her narration is taut, reflecting the story's high stakes. But there are lighter moments as well, and she captures those nicely. G.S. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2020]