A Pulitzer Prize For This "Goon Squad" - Enjoy!

    Of Peruvian and Mexican-American descent Roxana Ortega has a lilt in her voice that cannot be disguised.  But who would want to because this musicality is a large part of her spoken word appeal.  Ortega’s tones can darken when the text calls for it or ring when there is joyous news to relate.  An experienced actress she brings zest and freshness to her voice performances.

    Ortega’s credits are impressive - she’s directed by Tom Hanks and appears with him in the film Larry Crowne.  You may have seen her in the popular movies Miss Congeniality and Evan Almighty.  Her television performances are numerous, both in comedic and dramatic roles.  Don’t miss her spot-on narration of A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD.

    Author Jennifer Egan has garnered a 2011 Pulitzer Prize and an HBO series
for this novel.  It’s truly difficult to come up with enough laudatory adjectives to describe the originality, perspicacity, and style of Egan’s story.  Unlike anything we’ve ever heard/read before, A Visit From The Goon Squad  causes us to ponder, redefine, and question.

    Egan presents a varied cast of characters, each of whom has a story to tell.  Initially this listener wondered what the relationship might be between all of these folks - shouldn’t have worried as Egan takes care of that in good time.  We meet Sasha, an unstable young woman with a penchant for kleptomania, who works for Bennie Salazar, an over-the-hill record executive, who was assisted by Lou.  Jocelyn is the object of Lou’s carnal desires while she is loved by Scotty....Well, you have an idea of how it goes.

    It’s intriguing, almost mesmerizing listening even though we’re not quite sure where it is taking us as the narrative segues between time frames over a period of 40 years.  Egan is a masterful writer bringing us both pathos and humor, envisioning a futuristic New York, and leaving us feeling as if we’d just been on a remarkable journey.  Although it may not have been a fictional trip after all, but a true picture of life today.

    Listen to A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD and decide for yourself.