HOW TO START A FIRE

As she skillfully juggles the voices of three central characters, Tavia Gilbert adds this title to her long list of excellent performances. She creates a bold Anna, a childlike Kate, and a languid George and then leads the listener through their experiences together at a headlong pace. The women meet in college and remain friends through trials, bad decisions, and drastic turns. The story makes great leaps in time, which can be a bit jarring in the audiobook format, but any confusion is momentary. Gilbert's delivery is often hilarious; sometimes the characters' voices just spark with humor and life. There are moments when the book seems long, but overall this is an entertaining and well-performed production. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2015]