Grand Union

Zadie Smith, who narrates the first and last of the 19 stories in her collection, vividly explores people's complex lives. This audiobook includes published pieces from THE NEW YORKER as well as new works. Smith's low pitch and English accent make this work sound calm and literary--as if she is narrating to a familiar audience. Doc Brown's narration of the other 17 stories is an entertaining ebb and flow of energy. He employs different accents and plays with pitch. There is a soulful moment when he transitions into singing and then naturally falls back into his speaking voice. He is musical and colloquial in specific stories like "Big Week" and "Meet the President." Brown's enjoyable narration adds to Smith's well-established reputation as a writer. T.E.C. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine