ME & EMMA

Eight-year-old Carrie Parker and her sister, Emma, live in North Carolina with their mother and abusive stepfather. Carrie narrates the story of how the sisters try to cope with Richard, as well as their experiences when they ultimately run away together. Cassandra Morris's vocal characterization of the girls captures the tension inherent in their situation, but both the situation itself and the unrelenting sharpness of her voice may be too much for some listeners, particularly her grating Southern accent. Furthermore, she does not effectively differentiate the characters, creating confusion for the listener between the children and the adults. This is a disturbing story, difficult to listen to, and not made easier by Morris's delivery. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 07]