ALPHABETICAL DIARIES

Sheila Heti's latest meditative work comes alive with Kate Berlant's expressive narration. This compilation has an unusual conceit: Heti chose sentences from 10 years of her journal-keeping and then organized them according to the first letter of the first word of each sentence. Consistent themes emerge, including romantic entanglements, financial struggles, writing joys and challenges, and everyday difficulties. Berlant's contemplative tone contains elements of vibrancy and nuance that lend Heti's words an emotional punch. Berlant's pauses between sentences, and sometimes within sentences, allow listeners time to reflect on what is being shared. While the length of several sections may render the content a tad repetitive, overall, Heti's candid revelations will stir listeners. M.J. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2024]