A CAGE WENT IN SEARCH OF A BIRD Ten Kafkaesque Stories

Franz Kafka's legacy can be seen in this series of vignettes. The performances are consistently subtle and deliberately nondescript, adding to the listener's feelings of confusion and claustrophobia. Some highlights: Penelope Rawlins captures a developing feeling of dread as a prospective client tours a new studio apartment with curious design qualities, including a single ladder for an entrance. Jessica Hayles weaves the tale of a future in which technology solves all problems, to humanity's detriment. Matt Reeves and Hayles convey the voices of grammatical characters on a page who are locked in an argument, to humorous effect. Minhee Yeo eerily conveys a text message conversation, perhaps between strangers, that centers on hygiene. This collection creates a disjointed listening experience. The result is often jarring yet always effective. S.P.C. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2024]