OSLO, MAINE

Charlie Thurston's performance of Marcia Butler's novel about a wandering moose and the townsfolk of a small mill town in central Maine is a pleasure. Evidently inspired by people she met when visiting the state, the author populates the audiobook with quirky personalities who elicit affection and sympathy without becoming caricatures. Thurston supports the author's choices by delivering a straightforward narrative and thoughtful character portrayals without employing any pseudo-Maine accents. The story revolves around 12-year-old Pierre, who takes up the violin to help cope with the effects of a mysterious accident. As folks grapple with the social and emotional toll of Pierre's situation, a wandering moose sets off a chain of events that will change everyone. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2021]