HELLO GIRLS

Narrator Julia Whelan's versatility and warmth capture the courage and desperation of a daring cross-country escapade. Best friends Winona and Lucille have carefully planned their lives after graduation; they intend to escape from their abusive homes. When things go awry, they spring into action to preserve their future happiness. Whelan's pacing heightens the urgency as the young women flee, stealing a car and obtaining funds in risky ways while unsavory figures from their past race to catch them. Whelan's masterful delivery illuminates significant moments and adds levity when the girls do bits together. Her characterizations are well matched to a large cast with conflicting motives that ranges from predators and con artists to long-lost relatives. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2019]