Schroder

The success or failure of the audio edition of a deeply interior novel hinges on the quality of its narrator, and in this case Will Collyer does not disappoint. He beautifully captures the complexity of the novel’s antihero, Eric Kennedy aka Eric Schroder. In a youthful attempt to remake his life, Eric fabricates a history and a name for himself—that name being Kennedy and that history involving distant kinship with the Hyannis Port Kennedys. Sticking with his fake identity into adulthood and through marriage, it’s only a matter of time before the house of cards begins to fall. Because Collyer is so effective in his portrayal of Eric, it’s easy for listeners to be taken in by the character. Listeners will want to believe him—even root for him. Eric’s narcissism knows no bounds, and his choices lead to disaster. As voiced by Collyer, this compelling character is fully believable, even as he slides into darkness. A Twelve paperback. (Feb.)