THE LUCY VARIATIONS

Sara Zarr exhibits both technical mastery and fluid artistry in her writing and narration. Lucy, age 16, was an internationally renowned pianist. She isn't anymore. Ultimately, Lucy must separate her own desires and aspirations from those of the people around her. Zarr's voice is relaxed and casual as she reads, varying her pace with the rhythm of the story. During escapades of teen mischief her tone is giddy, and her bubbly pace tumbles along beautifully. Her narration slows when Lucy's thoughts linger on loss and longing, primarily the loss of her career and of her grandmother. In the audio production, one hears snatches of the music Lucy mentions--a definite enhancement. At the end, a delightful and eclectic collection of Lucy's songs is listed. A.M.P. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2013]