BEFORE THE EVER AFTER

Guy Lockard delivers an outstanding performance of Woodson’s brief, eloquent story of 12-year-old ZJ Johnson, Jr., whose father, a former pro football player, is suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The story is set in the early 2000s, when little was known about the dangers of repeated head injuries. Lockard makes effective use of pitch and pacing as he gives voice to the exhilarating before time with its happy series of football games and fun with an extended community of friends. Compellingly shifting tone and tempo as ZJ’s dad succumbs to the agonizing effects of this terrible condition, Lockard brings listeners into the ever after of pain and dementia that overwhelm ZJ and his family. Woodson’s spare, lyrical text is beautifully enhanced by Lockard’s emotionally connected narration. S.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2020 Best Audiobook © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2020]