COASTLINERS

As she did in CHOCOLAT, Joanne Harris creates a vivid portrait of an eccentric community, this one on the French island of Le Devin. After her mother's death, Mado returns to the island after having lived in Paris for years. She finds that nothing has changed except for the presence of a mysterious newcomer named Flynn. It's a slow-paced story with little urgency, but the characterization is excellent, and Vivien Benesch builds on this strength. This audiobook demands a narrator who can handle a lot of French, which she does capably, and her subtle, controlled inflections bring the colorful characters alive. D.B. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]