THE PEACH SEED

Anita Gail Jones's narration transports listeners across centuries and continents as she details the complex history of a Southern Black family. This saga centers on 70-year-old Fletcher Dukes, whose unexpected reunion with his long-lost love, Altovise Benson, upends his life and forces him to consider the true meaning of family and forgiveness. While the events Jones describes are often painful, she sensitively guides listeners through this emotional story, which covers issues that range from the enslavement of Fletcher's Senegalese ancestor to his current-day grandson's struggles with substance abuse. Some listeners may be distracted by the lack of distinct character voices, abrupt volume changes, and languid pace. But Jones's warm and compassionate delivery makes up for these issues as he infuses the story with a sense of hope. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2023]