THE SUNDAY WIFE

Audiophiles should run to their nearest libraries or booksellers for this outstanding recording. Laura Hicks delivers King's insightful novel with warmth, humor, and a dash of Southern charm. She interprets the upbeat and down-in-the-mouth emotions of minister's wife Dean Lynch in a plainspoken tongue and lends an appropriately glorified tone to Dean's husband and the other ministers. Listeners will laugh aloud at Hicks's depictions of the adversarial, yet just-too-sweet Libby and Vanna Fay. When Sylvia Hiney Whiney speaks, those who listen while driving should pull over. Hicks characterizes a diverse group of other Floridians, including a young boy, a stroke victim, and a Romanian fortune-teller, with believable vocalizations. She portrays this powerful story of love, loss, and growth in a remarkable way. J.J.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE/JULY 05]