WE'RE JUST LIKE YOU, ONLY PRETTIER Confessions of a Tarnished Southern Belle

While narrator Cynthia Darlow's Southern accent is faint, the Southern spirit Celia Rivenbark exhibits in her essays is strong. Darlow speaks as if chatting with other suburban moms. She's not trying to be funny--it just comes out that way. As one who has never seen a Chuck E. Cheese emporium, this reviewer was particularly intrigued by Rivenbark's description of Chuck E. Cheese culture. But she also has amusing views on the Middle East, the concept of "white trash," men, motherhood, inverted nipple syndrome, and other vital issues. Despite the book's regional in-jokes and obvious design to appeal to women readers, it's enjoyable even for those who aren't faded belles. Y.R. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE/JULY 05]