SOLACE OF THE ROAD

Holly Hogan runs away from her latest foster home in London. On the road, she becomes Solace, a tough girl who can realize Holly's dream of reuniting with her mother in Ireland. Sile Bermingham chronicles Holly's extended road trip in a poised but uneven fashion. As Bermingham presents English, Welsh, and Irish characters, she doesn’t sufficiently differentiate the accents, especially for an American audience. She also has to cope with a story that builds slowly and a protagonist who isn't immediately likable. Further, flashbacks make this audiobok circuitous and complex, another challenge. Still contemplative listeners will find something meaningful in Bermingham's soft, steady tones and solid credibility as the voice of Holly. C.A. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2010]