The First Bad Man

Middle-aged, quirky, and socially awkward Cheryl leads a solitary life and has an unusual imagination. In addition to sexual fantasies involving her senior coworker Phillip, Cheryl, who is unmarried, also imagines a connection with babies. When her bosses’ ask her to temporarily take in their hostile, selfish 20-year-old daughter, Clee, Cheryl’s life fundamentally changes—negatively at first, but ultimately for the better. July’s original and distinctive writing style is matched by her highly entertaining narration: she embodies the character completely, making her very sympathetic, and her wonderfully understated tone of voice highlights Cheryl’s quirkiness and makes it funnier (saying bizarre things in a very calm, neutral voice, as though it’s all perfectly normal). Listeners with a taste for whimsical humor and eccentric characters will love this memorable audiobook. A Scribner hardcover. (Jan.)