MEMORIAL

Author Bryan Washington takes the lead in narrating his second audiobook, ably complemented by Akie Kotabe's winning performance. With careful phrasing and a relaxed pace, Washington conveys the first-person perspective of Benson, who must entertain his long-term boyfriend Mike's mother, Mitsuko, who is staying in their Houston home while Mike reconnects with his estranged father, who is dying in Japan. Washington's subtle emotional intensity and clear engagement with the story come through in his performance. His character portrayals, however, are indistinct and offer little variation between males and females. On the other hand, Kotabe's vibrant characterizations and expressive tone direct the listener's full attention to Mike's fractured relationship with his father and complicated relationship with Benson. M.J. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2020]