The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise

What at first seems like a merely clever road-trip story modeled on the film Thelma and Louise quickly becomes much more. Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby, full of rage after an accident shattered her dreams of soccer glory, becomes a live-in caretaker for cantankerous octogenarian Louise Wilt. The two immediately clash, and the future does not look hopeful. Then Louise wakes Tanner in the middle of the night, insisting they take a cross-country road trip. Tanner, who just saw a news piece about an infamous 1970s jewel heist and thinks Louise looks a lot like one of the suspects, is intrigued and hops in for the ride. Narrator Hillary Huber provides distinct voices for both characters. Louise sounds caustic and curmudgeonly, and Tanner starts with a whine in her voice but soon becomes sweeter and livelier. Huber’s narration fleshes out the women’s characters, allowing listeners insight into their backstories and motivations. Though there are many funny moments, this book also deftly addresses heavier topics, including domestic violence, aging, and morality.