ELLEN AND THE BARBER

This never before published novel is the story of three young women in the 1930s living in the American Midwest and reacting in very different ways to the constraints on women of that time. Mary Woods narrates their stories in a voice that says, "Take notice of these women and their stories." She sets a strong pace, parsing through long and complex (but elegant) sentences with a care and expression that does justice to the author's style and guides the listener well. In these rich character studies, she relies primarily on inflection and timing to present dialogue rather than a variety of voices. By narrating rather than dramatizing, Woods lets the subtlety and rich texture of the writing hold center stage. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 00]