PAULA SPENCER

This story, quick paced and often sorrowful, depicts Paula Spencer's daily struggle to stay sober. Ger Ryan is completely convincing as the recovering alcoholic. Though the story is told in a relentless third person ("She puts the kettle on? she opens the hot press"), Ryan's lilting Irish narration quickly mesmerizes listeners so that such everyday details are given the importance and warmly lit quality of a Vermeer painting. Ryan's narration offers an unflinching exploration of the damages inflicted by alcoholism, but the reward of listening is in witnessing Paula's rediscovery of the pieces of her life, from the simple joy of making soup to the bittersweet recognition of her own imperfect parenting. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 07]