MEMORY AND OBLIVION

Cynthia Farrell is an excellent choice of narrator to bring us the frustrations of Carlota Molina, a high-ranking judge and estranged daughter living in Madrid. When a late-night phone call brings Carlota to her father's deathbed, she struggles against long-forgotten memories and deeply buried anger. Farrell's lightly accented English evokes the story's setting and characters with authenticity. We feel sympathy for Carlota due to Farrell's subdued and sombre tones. This is a novel about regrets, disappointments, and forgiveness. Farrell brings out these themes with a steady, heartfelt performance of childhood disappointments and adult decisions. We are entranced even as we are saddened by what we learn. M.R. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2018]