Book 12 of 2023
A Summary
I didn’t know until the writing of this that this play was written based on a true story. In this play a wealthy couple, Ouisa and Flan Kittredge, meet Paul a young black man that says he is friends with their son who is away at college. With his easy going nature, intelligence, and charisma Paul easily befriends the couple. Ouisa and Flan welcome him into their home to spend the night; thinking this would be a nice way to end the night after the day he was having since he was mugged. After an unfortunate incident in the morning hours the relationship starts to unravel. Paul’s identity comes into question as it is revealed he is a conman whose lies are starting to catch up with him. With the voice talents of Alan Alda, Swoosie Kurtz, and Chuma Hunter-Gault the reader finds themselves thoroughly entertained.
Thoughts and Review
This was a fantastic audiobook. Listening to this was like really being there watching the play instead of going for walks. I laughed right out loud while listening and yet felt the plight of the characters at the same time. Listening to the drama play out it made me think just how first impressions create an image in our minds of who we think a person is. How easily do we accept or reject a person based on our impressions that are created by the details we are given which can be crafted by the person entirely. In this play’s case you can see how the snob like world they live in has given them a criteria at which to accept people. It was interesting how easily Paul was welcomed and then shunned by the couple. But how their characters responded to the plights of Paul were very interesting. Even at the end when Ouisa seems to either have a lot of genuine care for Paul you can’t help but feel for her and wonder if she is just heavily invested in an idea of Paul that she has crafted despite everything. Did she get a glimpse at some point of who he really is?
Recommendation
I highly recommend this audiobook. It was so easy to get completely wrapped up in the audio that I could really feel as if I was there watching the play. If you are looking for a break from your regular audiobook reads this would be a great choice. The dynamic voices and sound effects are a real treat here. Also if you (like me) do not have access to going to the theatre this is so close to what I imagine it would be like. (Laugh with the audience.) It is really something special when an author manages to craft a piece of work that captures humanity in such an intimate fashion. Happy Reading!