ASSEMBLY

The whisper-soft voice of narrator Pippa Bennett-Warner draws listeners into this story told by an unnamed Black professional woman who is British. Though only two hours long, the audiobook reveals how racism and sexism infiltrate almost every aspect of the woman's daily life, including the simple acts of walking down the street and entering a shop. Bennett-Warner captures the poetic cadence of the introspective text as the woman ponders colleagues' reactions to her progress at work, navigates meeting her wealthy white boyfriend's parents, and makes decisions about a recent medical diagnosis. Bennett-Warner wisely tones down her portrayals of secondary characters, keeping listeners' attention fully on the main character's thoughts and lived experiences. The woman's story is unique to her but is also relatable to others who live with insidious discrimination. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2021]