THE FAMILY MAN

George Newbern narrates Elinor Lipman's entertaining comedy with zest and an appreciation of its mix of improbability and realism. The blend of screwball and social humor focuses on Henry, a sympathetic retired lawyer who came out as gay late in life. His comfortable life on New York's Upper West Side is upended by a needy ex-wife, a handsome home design expert who lives with a mensch of a mother, and a rediscovered stepdaughter whose love life is convoluted. Many amusing complications ensue. Newbern's pleasant tenor has an audible smile, and his crisp performance matches the zippy dialogue and pell-mell action. The male characters occasionally sound similar, but no matter. Newbern knows this is fun and delivers. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2024]