THE STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL SORROWS OF AVA LAVENDER

Narrator Cassandra Campbell’s lovely alto grounds the magical realism that flows through this multigenerational tale. Born with wings, Ava Lavender is hidden away from the world by her mother and grandmother. Listeners hear the story of the Roux family—from the first generation that immigrated to New York from France, through Ava’s grandmother and mother, and then through Ava and her brother, Henry—all of whom have extraordinary lives. Campbell uses rich Gallic tones when performing the heavy French accents of some family members, and she playfully rolls her “r”s when portraying Spanish characters. In the moments when dark, violent things happen to Ava and her family, her strong, warm voice offers a sense of security. Listeners are in for a strange and beautiful audiobook experience. G.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2014]