THE TOWERS OF TREBIZOND

Clare Corbett's silvery, refined tone and light, quick delivery suit this best known of English novelist Rose Macaulay's books. Published in 1956, it begins, "'Take my camel, dear,'" said my Aunt Dot as she climbed down from this animal on her return from High Mass." As an eclectic group, including Aunt Dot, an Anglican clergyman, Father Chantry-Pigg, and the narrator, Laurie, travel from Istanbul to Trebizond, they have adventures and encounter bemusing locals. Corbett's narrative voice--perky, naïve, and enthusiastic--captures Laurie's Girl Guide approach to the journey. And her lovely articulation keeps listeners on track through the occasionally long discussions of Anglicanism high and low. The story's ample wit derives from the adventurers' complete lack of self-awareness, which Corbett plays up beautifully. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2024]