MAMA

Focusing on the African-American woman's experience, Mama reflects on children, men, money, loneliness and alcoholism through Mildred Peacock's life and family. Hattie Winston's inflections, pace and clarity are excellent; her warm, expressive voice consistently portrays the characters. Winston's best characterizations are Mildred and her eldest daughter, Freda, who are the focus of the story. Slow, sexy blues music precedes and follows the narrative, adding flavor to the circular, repetitious pattern of life. Freda's pondering, "How can you save your family from itself?" gets at the essence of Mama. J.A.H. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG 94]