FEVER

The fact that we still know names like Mrs. O'Leary and Lizzie Borden, dramatic figures from the late nineteenth century, speaks loudly of their collective influence. FEVER takes on the story of Mary Mallon, who was known to the media of her time as Typhoid Mary. This novelization of the life of a hardworking Irish immigrant is tough to resist, largely due to the professionalism of Candace Thaxton's narration. Thaxton transitions fluidly between Mallon's brogue and the rest of the narrative, presenting a clear-eyed view of the time period and its people. Details of life in New York City and its environs are fascinating, and Mary herself is a complex character. At times, the story slows, but Thaxton gets it going again with her steady delivery. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2013]