The Alternatives

The Flattery sisters were forced to grow up quickly after the deaths of their parents. Now in their 30s, single, and all with PhDs, they are each attempting to leave a meaningful mark on the world. When the oldest sister, Olwen, a geology professor all too familiar with Earth’s changing climate, disappears, her sisters travel to the Irish countryside to find her. Sheltering together, they must face personal and global truths. Hughes’s (The Wild Laughter) new novel boldly explores the complexities of sisterhood and the weight of past trauma and grief. The audio is adeptly narrated by a group of six narrators, with strong performances by Irish actors Sarah Bolger, Aisling Franciosi, and Dominique McElligott, who voice sisters Rhona, Maeve, and Nell, respectively, and author Hughes, who narrates the part of Olwen. The cast gives depth and heart to the four sisters as they navigate their adult relationships, grief, and dreams, not only for themselves but for the world too. Their sensitive narration works in tandem with Hughes’s luminous writing, creating a lyrical listening experience.