SKYLIGHT CONFESSIONS

Mare Winningham's reading is level, her delivery almost factual, providing strong roots that ground us when Hoffman leaps into moments of magical realism in telling the story of Arlyn Singer. On the day of her father's funeral, 17-year-old Arlyn waits for her true love to show up. Enter the distant John Moody, an unlikely candidate. Winningham's even tones seem to record the characters' resignation--their adjustment to a bad marriage, Arlyn's conclusion of a love affair, and her acceptance of her own death. In later parts of the audio, Winningham's steady narration records the descent of Arlyn's lost son into drugs and despair, the pain of her daughter, and the sadness of Arlyn herself, who haunts John's life and home, looking for resolution. S.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 07]