JOAN IS OKAY

Narrator Catherine Ho gives a superb performance of this audiobook by the award-winning author of CHEMISTRY. Ho perfectly inhabits Joan, a first-generation Chinese-American ICU physician who is grieving the loss of her father while struggling with the direction of her life. Ho's deliberate pace and nuanced intonation straddle the edges between intimacy and detachment. Joan is a wary but sharply observant character, and Ho mines the expanse of Joan's acuity and introspection to depict a complex woman with relatable career, relationship, and family challenges. Ho paints authentic portraits of Joan's mother; older brother, Fang; and his wife, Tami, as well as Joan's co-workers and neighbors. Ho's skillful approach pairs beautifully with Wang's penetrating writing to draw listeners into Joan's insightful journey toward self-realization. M.J. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2022 Best Audiobook © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2022]