ICY SPARKS

Embarrassed, confused, and humiliated, Icy Sparks can't always control her popping eyes, flailing arms, and foul mouth. Feeling the approach of such an episode, she usually flees to a private place, but escape is not always possible. Growing up in the '50s in rural Kentucky, neither she nor anyone around her has heard of Tourette's Syndrome. Kate Forbes's soft Southern twang brings a stunning sense of realism to the harsh Appalachian dialect, creating within it the individual characters in Icy's life. She portrays Icy's sense of despair and frustration with a hard flatness that softens over time as Icy learns to accept her own quirks. Others in the story receive equally thoughtful portrayals. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]