WAKING UP IN DIXIE

For a hilarious Southern novel, it’s tough to improve on Haywood Smith, but Laural Merlington’s narration puts the sweet in the sweet tea. When the carefully staged facades of small-town power brokers unexpectedly are stripped away, reality is hard to swallow, and time-honored patterns come into question. Although couple Elizabeth and Howe face serious medical and marital issues, Merlington’s spot-on Georgia accents give them levity. She’s especially winning in depicting Howe’s tyrannical mother. From Howe’s shocking lines to daughter Patricia’s well-honed whines, Merlington portrays wide-ranging characters and emotions. Listeners will hear timeless truths about life’s challenges that bring laughter and tears. J.J.B. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2011]