VILLETTE

Narrator Mandy Weston is extraordinary in her portrayal of Lucy Snowe. She provides an authentic depiction of Lucy's loneliness and despair at the loss of her three siblings. Weston's powerful characterization is especially believable as Lucy faces the challenges of moving to Villette, France, to begin a new life as a teacher at an all-girls boarding school despite not speaking a word of French. Listeners share Lucy's struggles as Weston captures Lucy's powerful emotions in her search for love, particularly her relationship with an important person from her childhood who turns up again. Weston's effortless narration, especially her subtle French and English accents, makes this production a classic to be savored. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2008]