A Window Opens

June 15, 2015
Glamour magazine’s books editor Egan immediately lures female bibliophiles into her protagonist Alice Pearse’s story, when Alice identifies herself as one of them by mentioning her reverence for beloved children’s book series such as Pipi Longstockings and Nancy Drew. That love of books and reading stays paramount even as the middle of the narrative starts to sag. At the outset, Alice’s husband learns he will not make partner at his Manhattan law firm, and her perfectly ordered life is upended. As a mother of three, a part-time magazine editor, and a book club organizer at her friend’s indie bookstore, she realizes she will need a full-time job while her husband sets up a suburban law firm in New Jersey. Just then, a job working for a trendy company’s new venture—creating a national chain of e-book lounges that will also sell first editions—comes her way. Alice’s excitement turns to bewilderment, then disenchantment as the job of her dreams slowly becomes a nightmare while her father’s cancer returns and her husband begins drinking. Though the author successfully skewers start-ups and corporate culture, Alice’s disillusionment with her trendy employer is slow to play out, filling much of the space with repetitive plot developments. Agent: Brettne Bloom, Kneerim, Williams & Bloom.

Julia Whelan delivers another striking performance as she perfectly voices Alice--and all her thoughts--as she juggles a new publishing job, her family, and her father's appointments for cancer treatment. The job, it turns out, is less about books and more about accessories. (Sound like any companies we know?) Whelan gives Alice's father the unnatural sound associated with an artificial voice box just as believably as she produces the excited squeal of one of Alice's children. Whelan also transitions seamlessly between the two demeanors of Alice's boss--whose management style can best be described as "berate, then befriend" and whose emails are overwhelmingly present in Alice's life. Alice's mom sounds both tired and concerned for her husband while also optimistic and supportive of her daughter. Alice's world is an enigmatic one that listeners will be sad to leave. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine