HANG THE MOON

As inspired as this novel is by family lore, it's understandable that bestselling memoirist Jeanette Walls would want to narrate her story of derring-do during Prohibition. In it, we meet Sallie, daughter of the county's "Duke," whose extraordinary personal arc takes her from a poverty-stricken childhood in exile to living in "the big house" and running the family's moonshine business. Along the way, the challenges and excitement are as heartfelt and thrilling as a Shakespeare drama. Walls's warm voice and gentle twang sound the right note for a story that is set in rural Virginia. While the lack of vocal differentiation among characters flattens the audio experience, the author's attentive pacing and emotional engagement help keep listeners engaged with this action-packed tale. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2023]