DONA CLEANWELL LEAVES HOME

In this powerful presentation of Castillo's latest story collection, narrator Stacy Gonzalez brings out the complex emotions of families who are contending with change and straining under the weight of societal expectations. Gonzalez depicts the multilayered experiences of Latin people from Chicago to Mexico City, taking listeners into the varied lives of individuals facing postpartum depression, marital strife, gender tension, and more. She provides a solid delivery of stories featuring male protagonists, although listeners may occasionally struggle to reconcile the disconnect between her timbre and the male characters she embodies. However, she is stunning as she gives voice to Castillo's women, capturing both the weariness and grinding frustration of those stifled by their lives and the exhilaration of those who break through boundaries and claim happiness. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2023]