FRIDA

Kimberly Schraf's clear and expressive voice does much to enliven this long 1983 biography of the short-lived Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, twice married to muralist Diego Rivera. Long on research, interviews, letters, and gossip but short on dialogue, this 20-plus-hour account of Frida's turbulent life might grow tiresome with a less talented reader. But Schraf is a veteran of windy life stories (Edna St. Vincent Millay, Hemingway's wives) and keeps interest by changing tone and pace. Her renditions of Kahlo's erotic journal musings on Rivera, a pudgy, unfaithful mate, are especially effective. The descriptions of Kahlo's many paintings may send you to an art book for the real thing. Demand for this audio won't be hurt by the recent film starring Salma Hayek. J.B.G. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]