THE NEW LIFE

British actor Freddie Fox gives a riveting performance of this historical novel. In 1894 London, Henry and John set out to write a scientific book criticizing Britain's unjust sodomy laws. They each have personal reasons for the undertaking, and when Oscar Wilde is arrested in the middle of it, the trial brings the tension between them to a head. Fox's narration is brimming with life and movement; listening to it feels like watching a play. He gives Henry and John wonderfully distinct voices that highlight their different personalities and takes equal care with the rest of the characters. His attention to detail, along with his ability to capture the smallest shifts in accent and tone, is sublime. A triumphant performance of a complex, thought-provoking book. L.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2023]