THE LIVES OF EDIE PRITCHARD

Edie Pritchard--beautiful and smart--has always been pursued by men, and more than once has disappeared from her old life to avoid them. Eventually, after running from her second marriage, Edie sees that her teenage granddaughter is falling into the same trap. Narrator Holly Palance employs the same smooth, gentle cadence for the narrative that she does for most of the characters' voices--a choice this listener usually enjoys, but one that seems unsuited to this dark story. Her pleasant cadence is easy on the ears but belies Edie's angst-ridden life. Palance subtly distinguishes the twin brothers-- introspective Deane, Edie's first husband, and smarmy Roy, who always loved her. Overall, the narration is well paced, but a bit too cheerful for its serious theme. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2020]