DANDELION

Jennifer Hui gives a moving performance of this poignant examination of themes related to the Asian diaspora. Twenty years after her mother disappeared from her life, pregnant Lily considers motherhood. After a chance meeting with a former friend of her mother, Lily tries again to locate her mother. Long ago, Lily's father embraced emigration from Brunei to a small town in British Columbia, while her mother longed for the land she called home. Hui creates a quiet intensity that engages listeners in the characters' passionate debates about identity, heritage, and where they belong. Her portrayal of Lily's anticipation and anguish is emotional and moving. Hui's authentic intonations and pronunciations convey the diversity of cultures in this insightful story, which will intrigue listeners keen on Asian fiction. M.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2022]