THE GRANNY

This is the third volume of O'Carroll's Agnes Browne trilogy, completing the saga of a Dublin widow and her large brood of children, now augmented by sons- and daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Thankfully, Agnes remains Agnes to the end--vulgar, irreverent, bright, witty, and a tiger in defense of her cubs. There is pleasure and pain, hope and disaster, anger and forgiveness, much drink and celebration. The Brownes are survivors, and to a considerable extent, they survive on their own terms. Donada Peters brilliantly captures the ambience of the working-class neighborhoods of Dublin. She draws listeners into the pubs, the rented flats, the market, and all the other venues where the Brownes try to improve their lot. Each character has a distinct voice that reveals his or her personality, and the pace is always on target--from the boisterousness of a pub party to the silent spaces in a conversation. An outstanding reading of a first-rate work. R.E.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 01]