WE ARE NOT FREE

An outstanding cast of narrators captures the experiences of 14 Japanese-American teenagers when they and their families are uprooted and forced to live in incarceration camps from 1942-45. Each chapter follows a different character's story, with the narrator's voice closely mirroring the character's distinct and vibrant personality. Listeners feel their initial shock, their anger at living in dirty horse stalls and cold barracks, their joy at close friendships, and their rage and despair as they are forced apart. The interconnected stories highlight individual experiences as they follow an overarching timeline. Kurt Sanchez Kanazawa gives a standout performance as Twitchy, whose liveliness and joyful personality are eventually challenged by horrifying experiences fighting for the U.S. overseas. This work is timely and powerful, especially on audio. E.E.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2020]