FAMILY ALBUM

Set in late-twentieth-century England, this novel will maintain a tight grip on listeners’ attention. As the author introduces the family estate of Allersmead and its owners—the Harper family—the story seems straightforward. But quotidian dialogue and description give way to the airing of a family secret and depictions of how it affects each family member. Josephine Bailey makes seemingly effortless switches between characters. In particular, she gives distinct voices to the children and, as the novel progresses, believably changes their voices as they grow up. Bailey also portrays a large number of characters with a variety of accents. Overall, she fully captures the spirit of Lively's novel. R.F. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2010]