THE SPOILS OF POYNTON

This gem does true justice to James's vision. His characters maneuver in the realm of those who've preserved their integrity while losing their heart's desire, their fineness and delicacy inadequate armature for the rough world. Maureen O'Brien's reading splendidly creates the three central characters, her Mrs. Gareth being particularly arresting. There is great wit in this novel of repressed and diverted emotion, great comedy before the final bitterness. This reader delivers it unerringly, her sense of timing and appropriate emotion rendering with careful precision the characters' words and the passions behind them. E.J.M. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 94]