EARLY DEPARTURES

Narrators A.J. Beckles and Preston Butler III portray Jamal and Q, two best friends in this sci-fi coming-of-age story. After a series of tragic events upends both the teens' lives, their friendship seems fated to dissolve entirely--until Q dies and is miraculously (albeit temporarily) reanimated by a shadowy medical benefactor. Incredibly, this whole scenario is merely a backdrop for the question of whether Jamal and Q can set aside their grief and reconnect before the clock runs down. Beckles employs a palette of emotions--from bitterness to wonder--in his performance of Jamal. Butler's performance of Q, with his blend of wisdom and cheesiness, bookends this touching story of friendship, grief, and redemption. Add this to your list! G.P. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2020]