The Accomplished Guest

The 13 short stories in Beattie's latest collection travel up and down the East Coast--from Maine to New York City to Key West. In doing so, they share shrewd observations of unexpected friendships, aging, regrets, and new connections. Jacques Roy and Gabra Zackman narrate their assigned tales with comfortable deliveries that invite the listener into these slices of life. Roy's deliveries are compelling yet detached. He recounts the stories as if making observations about mutual acquaintances, without changing tone, accent, or pacing. Zackman is also conversational but less detached. She subtly distinguishes between characters in conversations, deepening the timbre of her voice when the dialogue requires a male voice. Both narrators deliver Beattie's astute observations and droll humor with a light, inviting touch. N.E.M. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine