LIFE DRAWING

For two years, Augusta, an artist, and Owen, a writer, have lived in near isolation in an old farmhouse to pursue their work and rebuild their marriage. From the first sentence, when listeners learn that Owen is dead, to the final minutes, when the last pieces fall into place, narrator Cassandra Campbell's silky voice wraps smoothly around the story. Feelings of pain, regret, love, and loss prevail as Augusta recalls not only the last few months of her husband's life but also past betrayals, family responsibilities, and more recent disruptions to their daily routine. Campbell's understated characterizations and consistent accents keep the conversations clear, and her pacing builds the emotional tension. Her expressive reading of the complexities of a modern marriage is outstanding. C.B.L. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2015 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2014]