CHURCH OF THE DOG

Narrator Kirsten Potter begins this novel in the voice of quirky vegetarian and aura-seeing Mara, who stumbles into a new life as a tenant on a farm. Potter depicts Mara with just the right touch of new-age modernity. Charmed by Mara's oddness are grandparents Earl and Edith, who are believably voiced by Arthur Morey and Kimberly Farr. When grandson Daniel returns home from Alaska, he becomes a romantic interest for Mara. Kirby Heyborne characterizes the pot-smoking, sarcastic Daniel with a hip youthfulness that is appropriate. However, Heyborne gives a bit too much spunk to the dejected young man, who has given up on life. The cast of this production makes its story of rural redemption come to life. J.T. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2008]