PLAYWORLD

Author and narrator Adam Ross mines his own background as a child actor and student wrestler for this nostalgic coming-of-age novel set in the Carter-Reagan era. Its centerpiece is the teenage protagonist's affair with an older married woman, but this is only one aspect of a richly developed narrative that embraces family, career, and student wrestling. At just over 22 hours, the audiobook may seem overdeveloped to some listeners. Nonetheless, Ross has a pleasing voice and personality. But he's not a skilled narrator. His delivery is slow and heavily cadenced--read rather than told. But, as always, the voice of the author, especially one so closely matched to his material, brings immediacy and authenticity to the narrative. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2025]