THE MISTRESS'S DAUGHTER

A.M. Homes always knew she was adopted. When she was 31, her biological mother initiated contact with her, the daughter she gave away. Jane Adams gives an extraordinary performance, bringing to life the almost clinical objectivity Homes employs throughout the first two-thirds of this memoir as she reassesses her identity after her biological mother turns her life upside down. The final third of the book spirals downward into rage over her father's broken promise to invite her into his family. Adams puts all that anger into her performance. After 22 minutes of asking questions without answers in a voice that becomes more and more hate-filled, Adams leaves the listener exhausted and full of pity for all the players in this sad story. N.E.M © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]