I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT The Life of Kate Reddy, Working Mother

Allison Pearson's first novel offers a painful, if hilarious, glimpse into the life of Kate Reddy, harried wife, mother, and successful account executive with a London brokerage firm. Kate carries more on her shoulders than Atlas. Her balancing act between her home life and sudden calls to international conferences makes for mind-boggling overachieving. Narrator Josephine Bailey displays a remarkable range of voices. Children's voices are uncannily real, as are the stay-at-home moms Kate calls the "Mommy Mafia." Her portrayals of the men--husband Richard; Aussie boss; American client and would-be lover; and Winston, the philosophizing Rasta cabdriver--are spot-on. Bailey doesn't try to SOUND male; her attitude BECOMES male. Pearson's observations and Bailey's delivery are achingly accurate. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]