WHAT GIRLS ARE GOOD FOR The Adventures of Nellie Bly, Book 1

Janice L. Blixt's spirited performance of this first book in the Adventures of Nellie Bly series brings out the grit and gumption of Elizabeth Jane Cochrane, better known as Nellie Bly. She was an activist and journalist famous for exposing conditions at the mental health asylum on Blackwell's Island in New York City in the early 1800s. Blixt captures Elizabeth's lively personality and fury at society's unfair treatment of women. Overall, Blixt's portrayal of Elizabeth--ranging from impertinent and fierce to contemplative and empathetic--is well rounded and engaging. Her voicings of secondary characters are less successful. Children's voices are grating, and men's voices are oddly whispery and forced. However, the audiobook's focus is on Elizabeth herself--a remarkable and bighearted heroine whose story still resonates. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2023]