EPILOGUE

Roiphe writes of losing her husband and exploring what it means to be a widow. Lorna Raver captures the tone of one who is bewildered by all that has happened but who is trying to persevere against irreconcilable feelings of loss. Raver preserves the sense of vulnerability and bravado in Roiphe's attempts to convince herself that she should undertake a new relationship to dull her loneliness. Raver contrasts Roiphe's sense of fragility at being left alone with her fortitude in moving forward, in hopes of feeling less haunted by her husband's memory. The contrasts between a strong woman who is purposeful and confident and a widow who is trying to believe she can live alone are at the core of this presentation. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2009]