UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Not all authors are good narrators of their own work, but Joyce Maynard shows here that she has not only a pleasant voice, but also an understanding of how to use it to create effects. Her careful writing doesn't leave us in doubt about who is speaking, so Maynard can focus on moving us through the story of narrator Helen's friendship with Ava and her billionaire husband, Swift. Maynard is fine with Helen's rather subdued emotions, and the wealthy couple's exuberance, but could be a little less cool when real drama intrudes on the artificiality of the relationship. Still, we get to see how the author of a good book understands her own text, which is always interesting and valuable. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2017]