SENTIMENTAL EDUCATION

Many listeners would give this work a 9 or a 10--and just as many a 1 or a 2. A nineteenth-century French novel suffused with lots of talk and much less action, it's about a new law student, the impoverished Frederic Moreau, and his vain attempts to secure the intimacy of Madame Arnoux. Its myriad conversations will not appeal to everyone. Reader Michael Maloney, however, will receive high marks from all. He consistently differentiates well among characters, handles French like a Parisian, and earnestly attempts to make the colloquies palatable. Still, listeners should be warned: This is no MADAME BOVARY. T.H. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 03]