WHAT CAME FROM THE STARS

In a desperate attempt to save their culture, the alien Valorim people send a neck chain containing all their beauty into the cosmos, where it lands in the lunchbox of Tommy Pepper. Graham Winton deftly differentiates between the alternating chapters of Tommy and the Valorim. When Tommy wears the necklace, the Valorim culture slowly merges with his own. Graham Winton’s narration of Tommy’s casual acceptance of this new knowledge and his utter astonishment that no one understands him are spot-on. But, despite Winton’s admirable efforts with the Valorim chapters, the stilted text as well as the many made-up words and alien names leaves the listener guessing at meanings. All is revealed in an epilogue and glossary, but that’s too late when listening to an audiobook. M.F.T. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2013]