Text for You

The narrating duo Natalie Naudus and Barrett Leddy introduce us to Clara and Sven, the central characters in Cramer first novel to be translated into English. Two years after her fiancé Ben dies in a sudden and tragic accident, Clara continues to be crushed by guilt and grief. Looking for closure, Clara starts to send emotional texts to his old cell phone, not realizing that the number now belongs to someone else. Across town and amid a heartbreak, Sven begins receiving her text messages, and together they embark on a unique romantic adventure. The novel’s premise is appealing, but something fundamental is lost in translation and affects everything—dialogue, pace, character development, chemistry. Naudus gives a heartfelt performance as Clara, but other characters’ voices become exaggerated at times. Leddy’s voice is bright and youthful but perhaps too boyish. There’s much potential for Cramer’s novel, but this feels like a rough draft; not even the talented narration can rescue this one.