CLOSED DOORS

Simon Vance harnesses the innocence, wonder, and fragility of childhood as Michael Murray, the 11-year-old protagonist of O'Donnell's novel. Vance's forceful, no-nonsense delivery reminds the listener--often humorously--how seriously a child views his world. He pulls the audience back to a time of their own simplicity. Michael is transitioning from a naïve boy into an awkward adolescent, which is challenging enough, but a crushing family trauma destroys his youthful sense of safety. With a plainspoken approach, Vance conjures up intense sympathy for a vulnerable child who tries to use his dictionary to understand the adult circumstances he's thrown into. Vance closes the door on frills and opens the door to raw emotion in this gripping audio production. J.F. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2014]