No One Tells You This

Allyson Ryan narrates this memoir, a meditation on Glynnis MacNicol's 40th year and what it means to arrive at that age single and childless. While reflecting on the recent loss of her mother, MacNicol realizes that no traditional roadmap suggests where she should go next. Initially, Ryan's voicing of MacNicol's thoughts may strike listeners as a little too breezy during some sad moments, a little too sarcastic during moments of vulnerability--but she finds her footing. Ryan is adept at capturing additional voices in dialogue, including the author's Parkinson's-agitated mother and her close friend, Rachel. Moving back and forth in time, MacNicol's meditations offer candid glimpses of the challenging but rewarding life she chooses. J.C.G. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine