THE VIRGIN'S KNOT

Payne's first novel is intricate and lovingly crafted. Her descriptions of village life in 1950s Turkey reveal a culture in which patriarchy is still the "natural" order. Rug weaver Nurdane's legs have been ravaged by childhood polio. It is in her hands that magic lies. Her magnificent rugs are believed to hold mystical powers. Villagers say they heal the sick, bring good fortune, or guarantee male children for those lucky enough to own one. Nurdane must choose between her Allah-given gift and a life of self-realization. Bernadette Quigley's narration is strained, her characterizations forced. The village men don't speak to one another, they growl, always angry or gruff. The women are either clichéd crones or too sweet to be believable. Although the reading is disappointing, the story is compelling. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 02/ JAN 03]