The Double Bind

THE DOUBLE BIND asks a lot of its listener. It asks that one suspend reality enough to believe that the characters from Fitzgerald's classic THE GREAT GATSBY are actual people who interacted with its own characters, becoming part of a mystery the protagonist must solve. The premise is enough to keep one interested, and Susan Denaker's performance is a reasonable one. She stumbles with minor characters such as children and the elderly, lending their voices stereotypical twists, but overall her reading is fine. In fact, the audiobook is exactly that: fine. It promises great drama but falls short by overuse of narrative and slow-paced delivery of action. A listen to this audiobook is diverting, but not riveting. L.B.F. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

Starred review from September 1, 2007
Bohjalian is well known for addressing issues head on from various points of view (hunting and vegetarianism in "Before You Know Kindness", gender identification in "Trans-sister Radio", etc.) and has created mystery in earlier plots (e.g., "Midwives"). Here he manages to do all that as well as enlarge the characters and plot of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel "The Great Gatsby"! The story revolves around Laurel Estabrook, a young social worker employed at a homeless shelter; her haunted past and a new assignment to discover the truth in a deceased client's box of old photos and negatives merge to create a compelling mystery that crosses time and geography. Susan Denaker's reading helps one almost see Bobbie Crocker's photos, which lead from East Egg, Long Island, to Vermont. Delivered with great sensitivity, this title is highly recommended.Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo, NY

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.