Late to the Ball

Narrator Joe Barrett's raspy, enthusiastic voice is perfect for delivering Gerry Marzorati's memoir of his quirky mission to take up tennis competitively in his 50s. The author is self-deprecating and funny as he describes his regular lessons with his Russian coach, sporadic lessons at clinics around the country to build and rebuild his physical strokes, and Skyping with a life coach. Barrett returns every spin, lob, and risky shot that Marzorati serves up. A wink and smile at the idea that 10,000 hours of training aren't likely at his age, awe at the beauty of the Federer forehand and Wawrinka backhand, empathy for a playing partner who becomes seriously ill, and frustration at finally learning a real serve that pops just right only to see it come zinging back--all of these combine to make a listening experience that is both delightful and motivating. A.B. � AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine