WINTER LIGHT

Marla Nobles narrates this gritty story set in 1978. Jaded, motherless Mary Donahue lives with her brother and their alcoholic father. Burdened by cyclical poverty and full of cynicism, she skips classes and works long hours to pay bills. Listeners hear the appeal of escape when Mary uses drugs at a party and her desperation after being sexually assaulted. Intrigue compels her to befriend goody-two-shoes Kathleen McCarthy, whose friendly mother becomes concerned as Mary slowly opens up. Nobles also captures Mary's periodic anger at Kathleen's lack of appreciation for her stable life. Nobles's performance captures the darkness and hope in this remarkable story. L.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2023]