SOUNDLESS

In her isolated mountaintop village, Fei belongs to the elite class of artists who paint the daily news for the community of deaf inhabitants. Miners procure metals sent down by zip line in return for the village's rations. Kim Mai Guest's Asian accent fits this world, inspired by Chinese myth. She speaks delicately and deferentially, as Fei is both thoughtful and conformist. Her acquiescent voice gathers strength, however, when Fei's sister and others begin losing their sight. A significant event spurs Fei to question tradition and the village's dependence on the zip line. Guest creates authentic male characters, too, particularly artistic master Elder Chen and Fei's forbidden love interest, miner Lee Wei. There's an irony in an audiobook about the deaf. Guest delivers this story of adventure, love, and myth with respect and wonder. L.T. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2015]