I AM THE SWARM

In Nell's family young women receive magic at the age of 15. Hayley Chewins narrates her novel in verse in quiet tones that make this remarkable story seem perfectly normal. Chewins's native South African accent helps listeners imagine the Cape Town setting where Nell's mother shifts her age from one day to the next and her sister is institutionalized for self-harm as she tries to release the music flowing through her veins. Chewins emphasizes the story's poetic rhythms, calming the tension when Nell generates insects that reveal her emotions. Ladybugs reflect her joy at playing piano, but later an angry swarm of wasps bursts from her when her piano teacher attempts to sexualize their relationship. Evocative imagery illuminates the unpredictability that surrounds Nell as she faces and owns her feelings. S.W. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2025]