THE LEFTOVERS

Dennis Boutsikaris executes this production with a matter-of-fact tone that works to emphasize the surrealism that permeates Perrotta’s novel. In a single day, a Rapture-like event has occurred, and those who remain on earth are left to battle the daily challenges of life (bills, school, health, etc.) despite the impact of the large-scale loss. Through several points of view, the novel traces the lives of several citizens of Mapleton and how they attempt to return to normalcy. Boutsikaris does well providing a straight vocal rendering of the details of Perrotta’s world while amply delivering emotional resonance and energy when portraying the characters’ states of mind. He keeps his voices and tones straight despite the shifting of perspective from chapter to chapter. L.E. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2011]