THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS

Cassandra Campbell superbly portrays Nora Eldridge’s life of quiet desperation. Teacher, spinster, and dutiful daughter of an ailing father, Nora has the soul of an artist, but her existence has little personal meaning. Her late mother’s voice and frustrations also echo in her heart. When Nora meets the Shahid family, she becomes enchanted with them: her charming student, Reza, who is confronted by bullies in the schoolyard; his artist mother, Sirena, who becomes Nora’s studio partner and then outgrows their relationship; and his father, Skandar, a Harvard professor who embarks on long walks, and more, with Nora. Campbell portrays the Shahids with mesmerizing personalities and varied accents. Campbell’s performance shares the author’s passion for these characters and their intimate story. D.P.D. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2013]