ENTITLEMENT

This novel tells the story of a mega-rich octogenarian and a 33-year-old Black woman. Audie Award winner Nicole Lewis is an excellent narrator who does subtle gradations of tone and tempo. She makes an excellent guide to the gilded world in this story of wealth and aspiration, race and power. The plot involves Vassar-educated Brooke Orr; Lewis gets her sound and style. Orr goes to work for wealthy philanthropist Asher Jaffee to help him give away his billions. Asher takes a real interest in Brooke, and this provides one of the many ambiguities in the story. Alam gets the details of privilege: Frankenthaler and Diebenkorn art in an enormous modern apartment, for example. This often dark story stays with the listener. A.D.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2024]