UpLifting

8/7/2018

The Lifters by Dave Eggers read by Dion Graham

His only friend – – it was so odd to think of Catalina this way, given they’d only spoken once--
had disappeared down golden steps inside a hill.

Gran, short for Granite, and his family have moved to Carousel, living in his great grandfather's old home. Everything seems lonely and a bit off balance. No one at school speaks to him. It's as if he doesn’t exist. One day he comes upon classmate Catalina entering a hidden door in the ground. Gran is intrigued and follows her. He discovers a series of subterranean tunnels, crisscrossing the earth beneath the town. He watches as Catalina labors underground, propping up the tunnels with all manner of items to keep the town from sinking. The two join forces, working to defeat The Hollows, powerful winds which sense sadness and threaten to tunnel deep underground, blowing away the foundations of Carousel.

This fantastical story is based on the metaphorical premise that young people can help to lift and save their community and also perhaps the world. Enchanting and heartwarming tale.

From the outset, Graham delivers. He is the master of the thoughtful pause. Each paragraph is given proper consideration without rushing on to the next chapter. The narrator creates a fluid narrative that moves the tale forward seamlessly. Individual voices are distinctive and imbue each character with a unique personality. From excitable Maisie, to self-assured and slightly sarcastic Catalina, to The Duke from Cuba, Graham's golden voice brings every individual to life. He handles tongue twisters such as "marauding mass moose" with aplomb. There is plenty of humor is his presentation. As he approaches the final chapters of the book (there are one hundred thirteen chapters) his voice hints at his increasing astonishment at the number of chapters, as he announces each subsequent number.
I enjoyed every sequence, every scene. Gran, his family, Catalina, and the residents of Carousel with their endearing quirks won my heart. Thank you, Dave Eggers and Dion Graham for this delightful adventure.

Listen Up

I could listen to Dion Graham read literature indefinitely. His range is impressive and his body of work extensive. He delivers a superb performance in all genres and for every age of listener. Listen to a portion of his narration from The Lifters. Give your ears and your imagination a treat with these samples of his narrations. Click on the cover to hear an audiobook snippet.

Bonus

The credits mention an aspect of the book that I missed: the art. The stunning cover is the work of the remarkable Fan Brothers. I know Aaron Renier from his Unsinkable Walker Bean graphic novel series. I was pleased to see his illustrations liberally scattered throughout the text. After listening to Graham’s brilliant narration, it was interesting to compare the pictures that I painted in my mind with Mr. Renier's interpretation of the story.