A THOUSAND PARDONS

When overwhelming ennui causes Ben Armistead to cross the line from discontented suburban husband to prisoner in a jail cell, his wife, Helen, is forced to make several desperate moves. She divorces Ben, goes job hunting, finds work with a struggling public relations firm, and moves to New York City with Sara, their adopted daughter. Narrator Mark Deakins shows Helen as a brilliant manager, thriving in the PR field as the “Queen of Public Apologies.” Deakins is comfortable in teenaged Sara’s skin, truthfully expressing her rebellion and her continual dismay at stupid adult behaviors. His best incarnation highlights Ben’s self-pity, remorse, and growing self-awareness. With understated finesse, Deakins delivers Jonathan Dee’s superbly written exploration of the inner workings of a contemporary family in crisis. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2013]