ABSCOND A Short Story

In this vivid short story, listeners meet 13-year-old Ravi during a summer in New Jersey in the 1960s. Even though the story is written in the third person, Fajer Al-Kaisi's use of a clear, deep voice for the narrative suggests an adult Ravi who is thinking back on a day in his youth that changed his life. For Ravi's remembered dialogue as a teen, Al-Kaisi uses a voice that is higher and less sure. He renders Tamil phrases naturally alongside American teen slang, reflecting Ravi's own bicultural experience. At first, the teen is sheltered by his close, diverse community and affectionate parents. When a tragedy shatters their idyllic suburban life, Ravi must redefine his relationships as he grapples with anger and grief. V.E.G. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2025]