REEL Hollywood Renaissance, Book 1

Narrator Eboni Flowers uses her Broadway experience to portray Neevah Saint, a theater actress recruited to star in film director Canon Holt’s biopic about 1940s-era Black, bisexual singer Dessi Blue. Flowers dazzles with her emotional and vocal range. Her smooth voice spotlights Neevah’s passion for Canon and his film. Flowers differentiates cast and crew in her dialogue. Jakobi Diem’s low, raking voice delivers Canon’s chapters, creating a refreshing hero both masculine and vulnerable. At times, Diem slows his pace for effect, a choice that may distract some listeners. Nicole Small’s fizzy, textured voice delineates a clear contrast for Dessi Blue’s screenplay excerpts. April Christina sings two embedded songs that evoke Dessi’s era. This production provides a layered and significant performance. C.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2021 Best Audiobook, 2022 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2021]