AN ORDINARY WONDER

Adjoa Andoh narrates this poignant coming-of-age story about Oto, an intersex teenager who lives in Nigeria in the late 1980s. Listeners hear the lyrical cadences of Andoh's African-accented delivery as Oto's horrendous life story is revealed. Because he is regarded as a freakish changeling, he faces ongoing cruelty and superstitious hatred. But several supportive characters in Oto's life stand by him as he transitions to a girl named Lori, a person who has always existed within his/her psyche. Andoh deftly portrays these positive influences, namely, his twin, his art teacher, and his roommate. Listening to this audiobook is often painful, but it is a compelling story exceptionally well told. D.L.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2022]