WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

Listeners will either love or hate this story of self-discovery. Narrator Jenapher Zheng portrays Lola, a woman in her early 30s who is mourning the sudden death of a close friend. Lola is launched into social media fame when a video of her giving a monologue on her grief goes viral. Despite moral concerns about capitalizing on personal tragedy, she decides to try to become an influencer. When she's successful, Zheng conveys her feelings of elation and disbelief. But success is never linear. Lola's mood oscillates between joy and despair as she grapples with fame, friendships, and family secrets. Zheng's inflections are not enough to keep her delivery clear; this one may need some rewinds. K.M. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2025]