SOMETHING IN DISGUISE

Once again Chivers has revived a fine book that has long been out of print. British actress Eleanor Bron does it full justice as she tells the story of a widow with two grown children who has married a pompous bore. But he is also decent and reliable. Or is he? Here the narrator has interpreted his true nature, not by any revelatory dramatic performance, but by a subtle reading of the double-edged dialogue throughout. With such convincing narration, who cares if the book itself ever comes back in print? J.C. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 99]