FAITHFUL

Amber Tamblyn’s crisp, emphatic narration draws the listener into Hoffman’s latest novel. Listeners follow Shelby Richmond as she emerges from the horrors of a life-changing accident and learns to feel, live, and love again. Hoffman’s trademark lyrical language and touches of magic, along with Tamblyn’s assured reading, elevate the overly familiar coming-of-age tropes and coincidental plot. Tamblyn fully conveys Shelby’s growth from listless despair to harsh edginess to aching hope. Her voice cracks with longing, sadness, bitterness, and resignation, then lifts as Shelby heals. Her narration distinguishes characters with variations of tone and pitch as well as subtle accents, creating a satisfying listening experience that Hoffman fans will relish. R.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2016]