EVER AFTER

Kathy Garver's gentle voice creates vivid personalities in her depictions of 20-year-old Emily Anderson and her fiancé, Justin Baker, an Army Reservist, as he prepares to leave for Iraq. In excited and poignant tones, Garver depicts the couple's anticipation at his return. Her portrayal of Emily's youthful exuberance brings smiles. Their shining example of new love provides inspiration to Emily's parents, war correspondent Loren Gibbs and top-gun instructor Shane Galanter, who have never married. Garver's use of subtle vocal idiosyncrasies gives the illusion of multiple narrators as she portrays characters of both genders and age groups. Further, she captures the rising tension of a country divided by war, yet supportive of its troops, with genuine emotions, tight pacing, and textured characterizations. Listening requires at least one box of tissues. G.D.W. 2008 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2008]