MOTHER TONGUE

A depressed Chicana-American falls in love with the Salvadorian refugee she is harboring in this award-winning allegorical romance----a war of attrition against personal and political demons. Though filled with psychological and physical violence, the book's optimism and sentimentality keep the horror bearable. Realizing this, narrator Bresnahan employs a fittingly gentle, sensuous touch. She particularly excels in the love scenes and deftly negotiates the switches in point of view and time frame. On the other hand, her gloomy patina destroys the few oases of humor. Nor does she tone down the author's many excesses. Perhaps no one can. Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB 98]