OWLISH

This layered audiobook could be experienced as one man's midlife crisis. The undistinguished Professor Q steps out of his lifeless marriage to have an affair with Aliss, a mechanical ballerina who somehow comes to life. Greg Chun's subtle performance encourages the listener to look beyond the dullard protagonist to what's happening around him. Q's island country of Nevers is in turmoil as students protest against its oppressive government. This fantastical allegory is Tse's pointed commentary on her homeland of Hong Kong. Chun's deft portrayal of the broad characters doesn't detract from Tse's condemnation of her society. This textured production can be viewed as a story of one man's mistake or one nation's decline. D.E.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2024]