The Song of the Skylark

Showcasing a well-tempered mix of American and English accents, Genevieve Swallow's narration richly portrays a woman's recounting her story of travel, love, and loss. After a hiccup in her love life, 32-year-old Lizzie Moran volunteers at a retirement home, where she befriends Mrs. Clarissa Dallimore, who inspires Lizzie with her life stories. Swallow's changing accents effectively represent Clarissa's changing speech as she moves from America to England. The tonal shifts in Swallow's narration accurately convey the age difference between the slower-speaking, wiser Clarissa and the fast-paced high tones of idealistic Lizzie, who becomes more grounded as time passes. Though there are some moments when the narration is a little overdramatic, Swallow's performance is warm and touching. M.F. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine