THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET

Narrator Susan Bennett interweaves time periods as she portrays dual protagonists: Ellie, a young Civil Rights worker in the 1960s, and Kayla, a recently widowed mother who is moving into Ellie's old neighborhood in the 2010s. As Kayla faces threats and other danger in her new house, listeners learn of Ellie's harrowing experiences and the town's hateful history. Chamberlain's evocative writing and Bennett's skilled character portrayals may cause visceral reactions in listeners, particularly during violent moments. Through the far-reaching impacts of the characters' actions, Chamberlain addresses racism, injustice, love, family dynamics, and intergenerational trauma. Bennett's style in this layered and powerful listening experience is both realistic and haunting. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2022]