THE OLIVE FARM

Carol Drinkwater and husband Michel fall in love with a neglected olive farm situated on 10 acres in the lush south of France. They risk their life's savings on the land and the "faded elegance" of the house, Appassionata. Once committed, they struggle with insect infestation, roofing and plumbing problems, and storms, natural and personal. Eccentric neighbors and archaic French real estate laws, as gnarled and twisted as the ever present olive trees, offer unexpected challenges. Known for her role in the BBC production, "All Creatures Great and Small," Drinkwater takes full advantage of the fact that she's an exceptional actress and the main character in her story. Her lovely liquid tones allow her intelligence and perceptions to shine in this appealing memoir of a dream realized and a family transformed. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]