FEVER

Beautiful Juliette Broussard's mother was unfaithful, her father committed suicide, and she's been stuck in a convent since she was 7. When mom's paramour brings her back to the family farm in Louisiana, his motives have little to do with charity. Anna Fields's tone of grace and dignity lends an air of sophistication to this slave-era story. While she imbues the black slaves with strong dialects, she also gives them souls and spirit in equal measure. In traditional Southern style, every occurrence, from the most violent to the most joyous, is portrayed with a languid "dripping all over with honey" sweetness that leaves no doubt as to the true nature of the situation. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 02]