GROUNDSKEEPING

Love and its complexities--familial, romantic, geographical--are the backbone of this excellent audiobook. As Owen leads us through his time as groundskeeper at a Kentucky college, his days are punctuated by his budding romance with visiting author Alma and his entry into the creative writing program. Narrator Michael Crouch provides distinct vocal shifts as he portrays entire personalities with his thoughtful character development. He expertly renders secondary characters like Pop and Rando, and his narrative style is approachable throughout. Heartfelt moments are balanced with hilarious ones, and Crouch does not miss a beat. The pace and production are stellar, and the composition of the work is beautifully suited to the audio format. L.B.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2022]