THE TIGER MOM'S TALE

Natalie Naudus captures the ups and downs of Lexa Thomas's complicated life and family. Naudus does an excellent job of dramatizing Lexa's half-siblings, as well as her American and Taiwanese identities, all of which compete for Lexa's loyalties. When her mother comes out as a lesbian and Lexa inherits her father's estate in Taiwan, her world is turned upside down. Naudus shepherds listeners through the streets of New York and into the food markets of Taiwan with a swift, steady style that makes the most of the story's humorous underpinnings. This is a sensory ride, deftly told through the sights and tastes of Lexa's home culture. Naudus garners sympathy for the besieged Lexa, as well as her complex family. M.R. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2021]