RESCUING PATTY HEARST Memories of a Decade Gone Mad

Virginia Holman's mother went first subtly, then floridly, crazy when her two daughters were young, suddenly taking them off to live at a "field hospital" in a secret war she believed she'd been tapped to fight for the government. Holman shows unusual insight into her child's eye view of a bizarre situation, and an adult's honesty about her fear of her mother and of her own genes. She is understandably angry that her father and others did so little to help, or even acknowledge what was happening; she also concedes that, to a child, parts of it were sort of mad fun. Julia Gibson reads with warmth and sympathy, bringing a special touch to the tones of children's voices. B.G.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]