THE CALIFORNIANS

This audiobook delivers an epic story about the conflict between art and commerce. Micky Shiloah's youthful voice embodies Tobey, who is fleeing the 2024 California fires with a plan to steal three paintings by Di Stiegl from his father for quick sale. In alternating chapters, Nancy Peterson captures the ingenue spirit of Di, whose photorealistic art brings her fame until she gets caught up in the trappings of the 1980s NYC art scene. In a third subplot, Di's grandfather, Klaus, is a silent-era film director who struggles once movies go to sound. Rob Shapiro deftly embodies the passages in which Klaus is reduced to shooting a cop show starring Tobey's father. Between the chapters, Jim Meskimen's chipper voice provides gossip updates that establish the various timeframes. S.P.C. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2025]