THE WATERS

Actor Lili Taylor brings a wry warmth to her narration of Campbell's latest, set in Michigan's Great Massasauga Swamp, where a family contends with secrets and intergenerational trauma. Taylor portrays imperious Hermine Zook, who is raising her 11-year-old granddaughter, Dorothy, nicknamed Donkey, on a secluded island in the middle of the swamp. When tragedy strikes, Donkey's relationship with her flighty mother and her opinionated, occasionally prickly aunts comes to a head. Though Taylor provides an appealing portrait of this unusual family, listeners may wish for better character differentiation, as the voices are quite similar in tone and presentation. Additionally, Taylor's frequent mouth sounds and inconsistent pronunciations distract listeners. Even so, her depiction of the family's deep love for each other and the land resonates. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2024]