HAPPINESS SOLD SEPARATELY

Winston's story, reminiscent of a soap opera, features one of the currently "hot" triangles-Elinor, overachieving, high-powered lawyer and infertile wife; Ted, her successful but somehow empty yuppie husband; and Gina, his working-class but sexy and giving sports-trainer/mistress. Reader Melinda Wade relates all the details in an intimate, confident voice-best with Elinor and Gina, but solid enough with Ted. What adds spice to the predictable plot is the addition of Gina's needy 10-year-old son, who is fixated on Ted as a father substitute. How to resolve the problem? When Ted tells Elinor he still loves her, she replies, "But that's beside the point! Isn't it?" Sensitively presented, this is a listen that leaves one thinking, "Thank God, it isn't me." M.T.B. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 07]