THE FOUNTAIN OF ST. JAMES COURT; OR, PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS AN OLD WOMAN

In this novel-within-a-novel both stories feature creative, thinking women: present-day writer Kathryn and eighteenth-century painter Elisabeth. The choice of two narrators for this title is delightful because both Cynthia Darlow and Barbara Caruso bring their considerable talents to their roles. The contrasts in characterization enliven the back-and-forth nature of the story. Pitch, tone, diction, and accent cue the listener as to which of the enigmatic women's lives is being depicted at any given point. Caruso's rendition of an eighteenth-century French accent is evocative without being overbearing or overdone. This engaging story is given new dimensions by the diversity of its narration. M.R. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2013]