THE AFTERLIFE

Chuy is preening in a dance club restroom on a Friday night when an offhand remark leads to his death by stabbing. As his spirit leaves his body, he quickly learns to maneuver within this altered state. He spends three days between “now” and “the afterlife,” tying up loose ends. Latino teen culture rings true in Robert Ramirez’s narration of this thought-provoking story. His accent adds realism, and the context is rich enough to convey the meaning of the Spanish slang. Listeners who aren’t too quick with the stop button at the end will also hear a glossary explaining most of the slang used in the story. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 05]