SHOCK INDUCTION

Michael David Axtell gives a confident, clear performance of this dystopian audiobook. In a not-too-alternative world, high school students undergo a multitude of intellectual and aptitude exams. Some students can expect to pursue their own hopes and dreams, while others face being auctioned into the servitude of the world's billionaires. It's a dark listening experience punctuated with humor and meta-references. At key moments, Axtell repeats the word "avocado" until it starts to lose meaning; at other moments he addresses the listener directly. The dizzying result could throw listeners off-balance, but Axtell's approach provides the necessary equilibrium. He's effective at capturing the artistry of the novel, even when its passages seem inscrutable. S.P.C. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2024]