RITUAL How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living

Narrator Neil Gardner sounds awed as he delivers a list of rituals such as serpent-handling in churches. That awe carries over as the British-accented Gardner narrates discussion of more common rituals such as toasts and graduations. His cheerful fascination turns to gentle amusement when he shares a passage about children who don't believe they've grown a year older without a birthday party. Gardner speaks in the thin voice of an elderly fire-walking participant as the author recounts his field studies of various traditions. Listeners might start to think about the part ritual plays in their own lives as the author considers topics such as athletes' superstitions or the changes in familiar rituals such as graduations during lockdowns. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2022]