THE PEOPLE OF OSTRICH MOUNTAIN

Lee Goettl exquisitely re-creates life in a Kenyan village from the 1950s to the present. Listeners meet 14-year-old Wambui, her family, and villagers who work hard and try to protect each other from neighboring tribes that raid homes and kill. When Wambui attends a girls' school in Nairobi, she sees an alluring world. Goettl's emotive style shapes indelible characters--notably, astute, independent Wambui and her inspiring British teacher, Eileen Atwood. Wambui returns home and has an extraordinary son, Ray. Impeccably rendered, he attends medical school in America. Vibrant descriptions of food and settings keep listeners enthralled. Most disturbing are the depictions of pervasive racism, especially toward Ray as an intern. The dazzlingly performed conversations in city and hamlet, diverse personalities, and varied accents make audio a must. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2022]