Lucien & Olivia

Lucien, a marine engineer on a Canadian tanker, meets Olivia, a philosophy student at Dalhousie University, through a friend while on a one-month leave. Thus begins Canadian writer Narbonne’s (Twelve Miles to Midnight) latest—an exploration of love and the surprises that come with developing relationships and connections. Lucien and Olivia don’t get along at first, but as Lucien sends love letters to Olivia, they begin to see the unique ways in which they complement each other. They reconnect on his next leave and begin an intense relationship, although frequent absences when Lucien is at sea lead to fallow periods of communication. Talented narrator Steve Baker gives an outstanding performance, capturing both the compelling storyline and the smart dialogue that runs throughout. Baker’s velvety voice brings out the distinct personalities of the main characters, imbuing each with nuance, subtleties, and depth. His pacing allows the story’s expressive beats to resonate and gives weight to the characters’ emotional journeys.