THE ANTIQUES

Three siblings, estranged as adults, struggle through chaotic circumstances to gather at their parents' home and mourn their father's death. Amy McFadden narrates this well-crafted novel at a jaunty pace and provides just enough characterization for the listener to become immersed in each sibling's backstory. Armie lives in his parents' basement, making flawed furniture and mooning over a woman from a distance. Josef is arrogant and wealthy, thanks to his business acumen, but he's on the verge of losing both his fortune and his family. Charlie is a Hollywood publicist with a severely autistic son and a self-absorbed celebrity client. Perhaps McFadden's chipper, sweet voice is a nod to the hope that these downtrodden misfits will overcome their mutual disdain and unify in the end. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2017]