THE FOUNDING

Spanning the Lancastrian, Plantagenet and Tudor empires, this saga of fifteenth-century England offers a history lesson from the viewpoint of one woman, Eleanor Morland. From her arranged marriage at age 18 to her death at 70, Harrod-Eagles and narrator Christopher Scott blend historical fact with fictional emotion into one cohesive whole. While Scott’s performances of Eleanor’s many descendants are often indistinguishable, the more constant characters in the story stand out clearly. Perhaps Scott’s best skill is his ability to age Eleanor and her faithful servant, Job, at appropriate intervals throughout their lives, culminating in believable elderly voices and attitudes. Other characters are performed skillfully as well. R.P.L. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 00]