THIRSTY

Alaska Jackson tenderly narrates the author's initial message-- "Please read this story with care"--after she recites a number of content warnings. She powers up her narration as she describes high school graduate Blake's strong feelings for her love, Ella. Jackson's volume and pitch go up when Blake, aided by alcohol, becomes "Big Bad Bee." Her portraits of Blake continue to change throughout. She shows Blake's heedlessness and boastfulness when she drinks to get beyond racial microaggressions, as well as her anxiety about getting into a select sorority for women of color. Jackson projects Blake's regret and worry in post-alcoholic blurs. Jackson also gets minor characters just right--mean girls, wealthy white men, distant parents, her anxious bff--and she carefully renders Blake's reactions to them. S.W. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2024]