SWAMPLANDIA!

Russell’s book features two types of people: members of the Bigtree family and mainlanders. Ava Bigtree is the youngest of a storied family, the founders of Swamplandia, an alligator-wrestling theme park. When the park is threatened by drastic changes and competing Florida attractions, the family is thrown into turmoil. Arielle Sitrick’s portrayal of Ava is appealingly childlike yet mature, naïve yet oddly wise. Her clear, youthful voice makes Ava sympathetic and heroic. David Ackroyd narrates Kiwi’s story, which is told in the third person, a more distant point of view that reflects Kiwi’s struggle to find his place among the mainlanders. Both narrators confidently explore a bizarre mélange of elements, including ghosts, ‘gators, Ouija boards, and the underworld. Between the irresistible writing and the stellar performances, this is a remarkable production. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2011]