A NEARBY COUNTRY CALLED LOVE

Amin El Gamal is a talented narrator who brings out the drama and grit of the alleyways of modern Tehran. He becomes the voice of Issa, a salesman who is increasingly drawn into the lives of those living on the margins in his downtrodden neighborhood. Fans of international literature will sink into this story of how oppression seen cannot be unseen--especially by this reluctant antihero. El Gamal has a lovely rich baritone that makes Issa more sympathetic and his pain more immediate. The listener hangs on every word as Issa uncovers social taboos--such as his late brother's forbidden queer lifestyle. Listeners will become engrossed in the complex world this skilled narrator unfolds. M.R. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2024]