West of Here

Evison's debut novel, All About Lulu (2009), won a Washington State Book Award. The theme of this superb second novel is that people can try to reinvent themselves, but, whether or not they know it, they'd only be repeating history. The 19th-century characters in this beautifully complex tale set in a mythical Washington State town include a feminist conflicted by the demands of motherhood and her desire for a meaningful career, the proprietor of the local bawdy house, and the Klallam Indians. They are paralleled over a century later by other characters including an ex-con wanting to re-create himself in the wilderness, a parole officer seeking to save the ex-con from himself, and an environmentalist whose impending motherhood changes her attitude toward life. Actor Edoardo Ballerini's (www.edoardoballerini.com) narration is masterly—he clearly defines each character, and his ethnic accents are distinctive but not exaggerated. An excellent choice for all libraries; expect book club demand. [See Major Audio Releases, LJ 1/11; the Algonquin hc also received a starred review, LJ 10/1/10.—Ed.]—Nann Blaine Hilyard, Zion-Benton P.L., IL