KINDER THAN SOLITUDE

Angela Lin fluidly narrates this story of three childhood friends separated in their adult lives. The three characters drive this captivating drama by sharing their past and present circumstances, which involve the death of an older peer in their childhood. It's easy to visualize Ruyu's stoic monotone; Moran's naïve, upbeat demeanor; and Boyang's playful, sensitive spirit. Through her steady pace and perfect intonation, Lin subtly dramatizes the difference between being alone and being lonely. And she comfortably transitions between the physical worlds that Li writes about--China and United States. With her melodic calmness, Lin owns the story from beginning to end. T.E.C. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2014]