FALLING SLOWLY

In Anita Brookner's newest novel, two sisters, still living mostly in their parents' home in London, have dropped passively and inexorably into their work and attachments--so much so that they seem to have lost will and substantiality. Reader Eleanor Bron has the daunting task of relieving this bleak account, and perhaps that is why she is best when characterizing the men, as Miriam and her sister, Beatrice, can sound quite alike--as indeed they are in spirit. Yet Bron manages elegantly to convey their empty accom-modations to life and subtly distinguish the final, positive note of assertion at the book's conclusion. J.H.L. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 99]