THE LOST ART OF DOING NOTHING

Kate Mulligan is an energetic and sincere narrator for a title that touts the value of doing nothing. She explains the Dutch philosophy of "niksen," which exhorts people to clear their minds as a way of increasing their happiness. Mulligan sounds like an excited friend who has found a new theory she can't wait to explain. She sounds warm and engaging, all the while maintaining a swift and steady pace. But no matter how good Mulligan's performance is, the art of doing nothing might be a tough sell in this time of pandemic, when many are feeling as though they have been doing very little for a long time. Nonetheless, Willems and Mulligan entertain while they inform. M.R. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2021]