UNLESS

"Everything depends on unless." With one deceptively simple sentence, Carol Shields can open a closed mind or pierce the hardest heart. She creates real people who laugh, ache, fall in love and out of innocence. At 44, Reta Winters has a companionable marriage; three intelligent, loving daughters; and a successful writing career. Without warning, her oldest, Norah, drops out of her comfortable life to sit on a Toronto street corner wearing a sign that says 'GOODNESS.' As Reta reflects on her life, on motherhood, the writing process, powerlessness, and humanity, the splendid Joan Allen gives her depth and dimension. Allen's performance precisely captures Reta's initial anguish and, later, her ironic perceptions and sense of humor. UNLESS is a beautifully constructed Chinese puzzle that leaves us surprisingly hopeful. S.J.H. 2003 Audie Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 02]