THE WILDERNESS

This audiobook, narrated by Aja Naomi King, Ashley Nicole Black, and author Angela Flournoy, follows five young women over two decades as they navigate the uncertainty of early adulthood in New York City and Los Angeles. Desiree, Danielle, Nakia, Monique, and January are all dealing with grief, love, loss, and race amid the turbulent backdrop of the George Floyd demonstrations and COVID-19 restrictions. King and Black are strong narrators. Their confident voices ensure that the characters are three-dimensional, and Flournoy's beautiful words flow poetically in their capable hands. Flournoy delivers the "Black in the Stacks" sections herself, and her matter-of-fact narration is a highlight. Listeners will be captivated by this ode to Black women who are doing their best to survive in contemporary America. C.A.P. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2025]