REDWOOD AND WILDFIRE

January LaVoy turns her skills to the story of the strange relationship between a Black teenager with unreliable mystical abilities named Redwood and a well-meaning Indian-Irishman named Aiden. Together, they explore minstrel shows and theaters in the early 1900s. LaVoy embraces the roles, particularly that of Redwood, with an impressive skill. Her delivery allows the listener to enter the girl's experiences as she navigates her way through a world she does not understand. LaVoy's skill with the accent of a Southern "swamp dweller" is compelling and adds to the tension that runs through the novel. After fleeing their backwater village and its superstitions, Redwood and Aiden explore the new world of Chicago. M.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2022]