COMFORT AND JOY

Narrator Sandra Burr depicts Joy Faith Candellaro, high school librarian and recent divorcée, with edgy apprehension when she learns that her sister is pregnant by her ex-husband and that they plan to marry. Joy purchases a plane ticket to Hope, British Columbia, over Christmas to ease the pain. The play on names and words almost buries this little story with its Christmas message of forgiveness, but Burr salvages it through a compelling delivery. Her adept characterization of a grief-stricken 6-year-old is stellar, as is her portrayal of the child's father, who has a velvety Irish brogue. It's no surprise where their relationship is headed or how the story ends. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]