BEAUTY

Catherine Ho displays a skillful array of voices, accents, and sounds in her narration of the short chapters that amplify this powerful story. Ho portrays the retiring Amy, a high school student in New York, in a small voice. Her depiction of Amy's demanding, shouting mother further highlights Amy's vulnerability. Later, Amy is at the top of her class at fashion school but is distracted by a designer. Marriage and motherhood stifle her creativity, and life constantly beats her down. Amy's attempts to rise above all that come full circle in a memorable way that is further enhanced by Ho's diverse range. She voices persuasive men who are quick to anger in a slick tone. A sick child's moans are as realistic as Amy's hurried speech and breathless tone in moments of panic. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2020]