OWNING UP New Fiction

Dion Graham skillfully breathes life into the diverse characters in Pelecanos's four novellas, vividly portraying the communities that constitute Washington, DC, beyond its political facade. Across different timeframes, these stories unveil ordinary individuals who are grappling with personal challenges and having to own up to them and take responsibility. Golden Voice Graham seamlessly navigates a spectrum of ethnicities, genders, and ages, with a particularly compelling performance of an elderly man who recounts his experiences in the 1919 riots. While there are crimes in each novella, the focus is much more on the characters themselves and how they are impacted by their own choices. These well-crafted works, eloquently delivered, provide glimpses of the complex lives within the capital's rich tapestry. E.Q. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2024]