PARASOL AGAINST THE AXE

Dorje Swallow's performance of this metafiction centers this whirligig of a novel in which story begets story. His assured narration--in particular, his ability to do voices and accents and adapt his tone to whatever the scene--makes this audiobook marvelous to listen to. Hero Tojosoa ostensibly comes to Prague to join her friend, Sofie, for a weekend. When Dorothea Gilmartin arrives as well, the plot thickens, splatters, and all manner of mayhem ensues--including a wedding that the listener learns of before the character herself and a shape-shifting book titled PARADOXICAL UNDRESSING, whose stories change for every reader. The city itself seems to narrate parts. Not to worry, Dorje Swallow's steady delivery takes the listener through the looking glass in fine fettle. A.D.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2024]