CAT'S EYE

Barbara Caruso's lovely, world-weary voice is perfectly suited to Atwood's fictional memoir of a lonely Canadian artist. But Atwood is so detailed in exploring the mood, heft and meaning of her heroine's childhood and career, we wish Caruso would speed things up at times. (The Robber Bride, Atwood's latest, also narrated by Caruso, is more dramatic.) Atwood excels at depicting the world of independent women and sometimes upends feminist thinking. But even though Caruso carries the meditations well, and story lines do emerge in dramatic moments, you can hear Caruso's weariness as she spools out Atwood's multiple endings. R.N. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: MAR 96]