A ROOM CALLED EARTH

Madeleine Ryan narrates her own audiobook, which focuses on an autistic woman's inner world before, during, and after a Christmas party in Melbourne. Ryan captures how the nameless, introspective narrator feels about everything in her life. Ryan's direct and oftentimes toneless delivery takes the edge off some difficult topics. However, when someone speaks to the protagonist, the abrupt tonal shifts required of Ryan feel as though the other character is attacking the protagonist's and, thus the listener's senses. This immersive look at the life of a woman on the spectrum is compelling. Listeners should plan on being unable to press stop. A.R.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2020]