DRINKING COFFEE ELSEWHERE

The winner of the Whiting Writers' Award, 20-something ZZ Packer unfolds stories of her life as an American black female through various lenses--that of a renegade Brownie, rebellious inner city teen, college outcast, and down-and-out expatriate in urban Japan. Shirley Jordan's narration links seamlessly with the text to provide a vivid and entertaining production that supports the author's reputation as an artist with language. Smooth transitions, believable characters and dialogue, and an overall sense of hopelessness pervade the collection. You'll find keen observations of human nature and a lively cynicism underlaid with a love of beauty. D.J.B. 2004 Audie Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 03]