Recollections of My Nonexistence

Rebecca Solnit voices her own memoir, which is part coming-of-age story and part feminist clarion call. She is somber, and her reflections are told in a husky voice that sounds as if she is baring her soul. Solnit may very well be sharing her deepest moments as she takes us back into her childhood and then forward into her days as a young woman in San Francisco. Her pace is steady, taking on a rhythm that becomes a soothing cadence. This soft approach lulls us even as Solnit confronts difficult topics. From violence against women to gender stereotypes, she contemplates the myriad ways women confront social inequality. Some might feel that her performance lacks variety, but those interested in the topic will remain engaged. M.R. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine