AS CLOSE TO US AS BREATHING

Janet Metzger masterfully narrates Poliner’s captivating, nuanced story of a tragedy that strikes at the heart of a close-knit Jewish family. Metzger adopts the perfect tone of reflective meditation from the novel’s portentous first sentence: “The summer of 1948 my brother Davy was killed in an accident with a man who would have given his own life rather than have it happen.” As the author explores the effect of Davy’s death on family members, Metzger’s portrayal of the three sisters who are central to the story is especially deft. Handling the dual challenges of voicing multiple characters and keeping the fragmented time lines distinct, Metzger invites listeners into a sun-soaked world of ocean breezes and populated summer cottages to consider the deep pull that family exerts on our lives. J.C.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2016]