THE WONDER PARADOX Embracing the Weirdness of Existence and the Poetry of Our Lives

In this audiobook Jennifer Michael Hecht proposes that poetry can become a personal ritual for many of life's important moments, particularly for those who find no solace in organized religion. For each moment for which religion or community offers consolation or commemoration, Hecht suggests a poem and a way of choosing and using a poem of the listener's selection. Gail Shalan's narration is clear and evocative, mostly quite good--although marred by a sprinkling of egregious mispronunciations. Those less obsessive about language may not mind. The work builds largely on the author's personal experiences, and Shalan brings those vividly to life--particularly an episode involving the oddest of couples, Dolly Parton and Fran Lebowitz. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2023]