IN THE GARDEN OF IDEN A Novel of the Company

When Mendoza is rescued from the Spanish Inquisition at the age of 5, she becomes a cyborg. In exchange for her rescue, she undertakes a series of time-traveling assignments related to saving exotic plants from extinction so that “the Company” can capitalize on their “miraculous re-discovery” in the 24th century. Through Mendoza’s adventures, the listener follows the history of the 1500s, the progress of the Inquisition, and the struggles between Catholics and Protestants for control of the English throne. Janan Raouf keeps the narration light and maintains hopefulness in the character of Mendoza, which offsets some of the darkness of the times. With a steady and even pace Raouf keeps the story moving. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2011]