THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE GREENGAGE TREE

Priya Ayyar becomes the voice of 13-year-old Bahar, the ghostly narrator of this story set in post-Revolutionary Iran. Ayyar uses a wistful voice that makes it easy for listeners to empathize with the horrors the teenager encounters. Ayyar is an experienced narrator of international fiction. She expertly handles this imagining of a watershed moment in Iranian history through her full command of its wide cast of characters, and grim plot. Throughout her performance, Ayyar conveys the persona of a vulnerable child, heightening our understanding of the character. The story also highlights the impact of the Islamic Revolution on Bahar's family. Fans of historical fiction and world literature will find much to admire in this title. M.R. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2020]