THE CITY AND ITS UNCERTAIN WALLS

This audiobook defies easy labels, and narrator Brian Nishii is well suited to this type of material. His soft voice assumes an earnest, intense air as he follows the unnamed narrator through an alternate world. The plot is ethereal and fantastical, and the dreamy tone Nishii adopts seems appropriate as the narrator's thoughts meander. Lost love, exiled shadows, dream libraries, and coconut trees--Nishii's gentle, often hesitant, voice strolls among images both realistic and magical. For some, this lengthy performance may be too soft focused and slow. Nishii does a fine job, and it's up to the listener to decide whether the story offers enough in return. For Murakami devotees, this should be an exceptional listening experience, with plenty of sonic space to embrace the meditative. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2024]