KALEIDOSCOPE

Gwendoline Christie is positively spellbinding as the first-person narrator of this dreamlike story of love and grief, which is experienced like a vision through a kaleidoscope--in randomly assembled bits and pieces tinged with color. Original music for each loosely connected story sets a distinct mood and includes string music, piano, discordant orchestral arrangements, muffled voices, wordless singing. The effect is mesmerizing. The listener never learns the identity of the narrator (or narrators); however, each story features undying love for a boy named James. Christie creates a voice for James that is young, plain, kind, and sure--in stark contrast to the narrator's voice--older, ethereal, questioning. Brian Selznick reads an enlightening note and interview. KALEIDOSCOPE is utterly unique. L.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2021 Best Audiobook © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2021]