THE THIRTY NAMES OF NIGHT

Samy Figaredo and Lameece Issaq give deeply resonant performances in this lyrical novel about three generations of Syrian-Americans who are searching for a sense of belonging. Years after the death of his mother, an ornithologist, a closeted trans man finds the journal of a famous bird artist she loved named Laila Z. The artist disappeared 60 years before the boy was born. He soon realizes that Laila's story is intimately tied to his own. Figaredo's narration is breathtaking--sometimes heavy with anguish, sometimes alight with joy. Issaq is equally good as Laila; her smooth, musical delivery is the polar opposite of Figaredo's fiery performance. Both narrators enhance the story's vivid characters, creating a moving, immersive listening experience. This audiobook is a magical celebration of the hidden stories of queer and trans people thriving throughout history. L.S. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2020]