Avalon

Bran’s upbringing was hardly traditional. Having lost both of her parents, Bran was raised on a Southern California topiary farm run by an unsavory biker gang, earning her keep as an unpaid and overworked laborer. She lives on the outskirts of society, with no birth certificate or identification, no support, no money, and the most rudimentary accommodations. Bran’s world opens up when she meets Jay, an infectiously friendly choreographer (and shockingly bad flamenco dancer), and Jay’s classmate, Peter, a stuffy academic. Zink’s (Doxology) latest, narrated with perfect assurance by Justis Bolding, addresses class, privilege, academia, and art, following Bran through her hopeless crush on Peter, her fascination with and despair at becoming an artist, and her recognition of the person she wants to be. Listeners may be taken out of the story with occasional mispronunciations, but they will be captivated by Bolding’s depiction of Bran, which channels her wry wit and gritty determination.