THE EVIDENCE AGAINST HER

Three childhood friends, Robert, Lily, and her cousin Warren, were all born on the same day in the small town of Washburn, Ohio, just before WWI. Inseparable from birth, Lily eventually marries Robert and plans to keep Warren close by marrying him off to one of her friends, Enter exotic, sensual, intelligent, and highly emotional Agnes Claytor, daughter of another prominent family, who falls in love with Warren and threatens to destroy the plans of so many people. Robb Foreman Dew has a beautifully crafted narrative style, reminiscent of James Agee's A DEATH IN THE FAMILY. It's no surprise that she has already won the National Book Award. Each character is a marvelously painted portrait all on its own, and woven together they make a luminous tapestry. Kate Fleming deftly creates emotionally true characters. She renders Agnes's depressed and fragile mother with as much aplomb as her driven and violent father, heightening the tension and binding the listener to the character of Agnes. Fleming's confident, easy delivery also conveys the Midwestern flavor in which the story is steeped. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]