THREE LIVES

Laurel Lefkow and Trei Taylor share the narration of this story collection with equal skill. In each of the three stories, Taylor or Lefkow delivers a portrait of a life. In "The Good Anna" and "The Gentle Lena," Lefkow offers confident, precise performances. Her voice and pace are consistent and easy to follow. In "Melanctha," Taylor shows similar talents; her voice is beautiful and alive with emotion. Stein's style may work well for some listeners, but others may find that the works drag. Details are often minute and repetitive, and even the most skilled narrator might struggle to keep listeners engaged. Nonetheless, this production could serve as an accessible introduction to Stein. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2023]