THE LIGHTNESS

Brittany Pressley's skillful narration of this contemplative novel about adolescent yearning invites listeners to consider the limits of their own understanding. Seeking her absent father, Olivia turns up at his last known address: a Buddhist retreat center. Though she finds no trace of him there, she does find apparent friendship in the form of three magnetic girls who are hoping to master the practice of levitation. Pressley's simultaneously world-weary yet vulnerable performance captures Olivia's desperation to believe in something real. Pressley also creates a distinct array of voices for each of Olivia's new friends, especially the ethereal and frighteningly compelling Serena. As the girls draw closer to discovering what they believe is the key to enlightenment, listeners will be eager to know what they find. N.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2020]