THE LEFT-HANDED BOOKSELLERS OF LONDON

Marisa Calin seems to take supreme enjoyment in narrating this romp of a book. Calin captures Susan's frustration with her withdrawn, dreamy mother. The 18-year-old is eager to leave her country life for school in 1980s London. She also hopes to discover who her father is. Once there, though, she becomes overwhelmed by her discovery that she is somehow linked to London's magical, hidden Old World. Calin slips easily and thoughtfully into and out of the personalities of the large cast of characters. Noteworthy is her depiction of Susan's guide, Merlin, who is a member of the left-handed booksellers. He sounds erudite, a touch haughty, and increasingly fond of Susan. Calin perfectly uses accents and varying tones to make all the characters memorable. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2020]