THE GRAYBAR HOTEL Stories

Curtis Dawkins's debut collection of prison-focused short stories makes for an ideal audiobook, allowing the listener to savor each work. Narrator Pete Simonelli has an ideal voice, with just enough gruffness to deliver the material, which draws on Dawkins's unconventional background as a convicted murderer serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Dawkins also has an MFA in creative writing, and his skills are equally apparent. Simonelli's performance weaves the stories together in a way that creates an even greater sense of continuity. He uses the diversity of the material to create unique characters whose voices and personalities demonstrate the realities of prison life, including the remorse many inmates feel, as well as the desperation and hopelessness that are part of day-to-day life behind bars. D.J.S. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2018]