THE END OF AUGUST

Sue Jean Kim performs National Book Award-winning (TOKYO UENO STATION) author Yu Miri's new novel. Yu, an author of Korean descent writing in Japanese, fictionalizes her grandfather's experience in the 1930s as one of Korea's top athletes. In the story, he's a candidate for the Olympics, but because of the Japanese occupation, he would have to compete for Japan. Kim perfectly delivers the rhythms of the many large sections of poetic prose. Her performance highlights her incredible range, but with so many characters and voices, listeners may get lost from time to time. Choosing to use one narrator seems like a missed opportunity to feature an ensemble who would have provided more distinction among the many players in this sprawling, vibrant story. K.D.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2023]