A STEP FROM HEAVEN

In poetic prose, the Korean-born protagonist of this novel recreates scenes of her childhood as an immigrant as she tries to adjust to American ways and remain a good Korean daughter despite her father's alcoholism and abuse. Jina Oh reads with a simplicity that underscores the emotional turmoil and pain of this story, which movingly captures the shame of being poor and different, the terrible powerlessness of youth, and the confusion of living in two cultures. Oh's voice is convincing once the protagonist has reached 10 or 11 years of age. She fails to convey the voice of the 4-year-old, which makes the early chapters somewhat confusing. Overall, Na's writing and Oh's narration sensitively capture the emotional life of a girl growing into maturity and coming to terms with her past. E.S. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]