KADDISH.COM

This is the rare and extraordinary audiobook that reaches new heights because of the narrator's flawless performance. Rob Shapiro delivers the material perfectly while enhancing every scene with a style and diversity of tones and emotions that highlight each moment. At its core, the novel focuses on Larry, a formerly observant Orthodox Jew who refuses to say Kaddish, the mourner's prayer, daily for his recently deceased father. Instead, he uses an Internet-based alternative to avoid his obligation. As Larry ages, he returns to his religious roots and suffers extraordinary guilt over this decision. The result is an exceptional work by Englander, who captures every emotion in dialogue reminiscent of Philip Roth and Saul Bellow. Listeners will want to replay the audiobook to experience every nuance of Englander's prose and Shapiro's exceptional performance. D.J.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2019]