The Broom of the System

Lenore Beadsman is surrounded by bizarre characters: a brother who talks to his fake leg as though it were a person, a psychiatrist who wears a gas mask, a pet bird that quotes the Bible. When her Wittgenstein-obsessed great-grandmother disappears, Lenore questions whether she is able to determine her own destiny. Wallace's debut novel, originally published in 1987 and available for the first time on audio, showcases his skills for telling hilariously excessive stories. Whether he is imitating a cockatiel or singing the part of a televangelist's choir, actor/Audie Award nominee Robert Petkoff (robertpetkoff.com) shows his immense talent for narration—he definitely deserves another Audie nod for this performance. Those liking a quirky yet weighty story—think Thomas Pynchon or even David Sedaris—will especially enjoy.—Johannah Genett, Hennepin Cty. Libs., Minneapolis