GRACELAND, AT LAST Notes on Hope and Heartache From the American South

Joyce Bean's warm, friendly voice is by turns serious and smiling in her excellent narration of Margaret Renkl's insightful new essay collection. Drawn from Renkl's weekly NEW YORK TIMES column, the 60 pieces in this audiobook cover all manner of life in the American South, including animals, culture, plants, and politics. Renkl, who lives in Tennessee, is a detailed observer whether she's watching a flock of sheep "mow" a lawn, considering John Prine's music, or writing an open letter about racism to her fellow white Christians. She blends her private life throughout, giving listeners personal involvement with the essays. Bean's clear, straightforward, and welcoming performance is perfectly in tune with Renkl's mix of intimacy and objectivity. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2022]