West of Here

In Jonathan Evison's tale of exploration, journeys, and hope lies a challenging narration. Edoardo Ballerini must conquer dozens of voices as he portrays an eclectic mix of characters. He carefully crafts identities while shifting from pioneers in the Northwest more than 100 years ago to the area's current residents. Quiet, deliberate Native American men and women, a gravelly voiced explorer, and a strong-willed feminist all from earlier times come to life. As the story leaps 100 years into the future, listeners hear a gregarious African-American parole officer, an intense former basketball star who is trying to find himself, and assorted townies. The multitude of characters intertwined in parallel stories that are connected by a pioneering spirit and a creative narration. M.B. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

March 28, 2011
Evison's capacious novel toggles between glorious past and constrained present, the idealism of the settlers of the American West and their hapless descendants. Port Bonita fails to live up to the imagined splendor of the Western pioneers, becoming, instead, the place where the American Dream goes to dieâor, at the very least, to convalesce. Edoardo Ballerini is well-equipped to handle the blended tones of Evison's story, bouncing between hushed intimacy and a fierce growl. He steps delicately through the gruff talk of Port Bonita's inhabitants, pulling back into a poetic reverie for Evison's descriptions of the landscape and surroundings, reminding the listener that even in this world-weary city, something of America's magnificence remains. An Algonquin hardcover.

Starred review from June 1, 2011
Evison's debut novel, "All About Lulu"(2009), won a Washington State Book Award. The theme of this superb second novel is that people can try to reinvent themselves, but, whether or not they know it, they'd only be repeating history. The 19th-century characters in this beautifully complex tale set in a mythical Washington State town include a feminist conflicted by the demands of motherhood and her desire for a meaningful career, the proprietor of the local bawdy house, and the Klallam Indians. They are paralleled over a century later by other characters including an ex-con wanting to re-create himself in the wilderness, a parole officer seeking to save the ex-con from himself, and an environmentalist whose impending motherhood changes her attitude toward life. Actor Edoardo Ballerini's (www.edoardoballerini.com) narration is masterly—he clearly defines each character, and his ethnic accents are distinctive but not exaggerated. An excellent choice for all libraries; expect book club demand. [See Major Audio Releases, "LJ"1/11; the Algonquin hc also received a starred review, "LJ"10/1/10.—Ed.]—Nann Blaine Hilyard, Zion-Benton P.L., IL

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