BEFORE AND AGAIN

Mary Stuart Masterson is quite wonderful narrating Delinsky's uplifting novel of a woman's struggle to rebuild her life after a personal tragedy. In one second of distraction, Mackenzie Cooper misses a stop sign and crashes into another car, killing that car's driver and her own 5-year-old daughter. Masterson offers a poignant, understated delivery as Mackenzie's life spirals out of control. Notorious in the press, disowned by friends and family, and divorced, Mackenzie moves to a quiet town in Vermont, changes her name, and starts a new life. Masterson provides a nuanced performance as Mackenzie/Maggie faces an ethical dilemma: whether to stand by a new friend who is in serious trouble and facing the possibility of public exposure, or to keep quiet and not get involved. Worthwhile listening. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2018]