HOUSEKEEPING

Considered a modern classic, Robinson’s novel enjoys a sustained popularity. The story of Ruth and her sister, Lucille, HOUSEKEEPING speaks eloquently of displacement, loss, and longing. Becket Royce has a friendly, inviting voice well-suited to Ruth’s long and thoughtful narrations of the story, though she’s equally good at creating the voices of Sylvie and Lucille, as well as incidental characters. Robinson’s use of language is often challenging and always beautiful; some sentences brim with meaning and metaphoric potential. As an audio production, her prose can challenge listeners’ ability to absorb it all, occasionally sending them to the pause button. But the rewards of listening slowly or re-reading provocative passages are worth it. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]