(5/10/2023)
Are you seeking an audiobook to motivate you to move this summer? In that case, Emma Roseblum's debut novel, Bad Summer People, is the perfect blend of entertainment, dark humor, and mystery, making it a five-sneaker listen. With a spark of inspiration from White Lotus's theme of privilege, Bad Summer People is set on Fire Island, New York, from Memorial Day through Labor Day and told from multiple perspectives. As the audiobook progresses, you realize the "beautiful" characters aren't as pretty on the inside. Her descriptive phrases are both accurate and funny. (I giggled aloud when she described the women on the ferry all wearing dark sunglasses looking bugged-eyed.)
January Lavoy's narration seamlessly alters the characters' voices, bringing dimension to the audiobook. The Walking Book Club is adding her to our list of favorite voice actors. Bad Summer People earns five-sneakers for the quality of narration as well.
Total moving and listening time is approximately eight hours, depending on your preferred listening speed. (I sped up the tempo to 1.4 - 1.5 without diminishing the quality.)
Bad Summer People is Rosenblum's first novel but not her last. Her book is under contract for screen adaptation, and she's been signed for an additional two books. So if you need a guilty little pleasure this summer for a voyeur-like look into a microcosm of New York City's summer destinations of the rich, this fictional look into "infidelity and backstabbing" will quench your listening palette. So lace up your sneakers and get moving - it's sure to be on the "hot summer books list," then treat yourself to a watermelon margarita after!