GETTING MOTHER'S BODY

Suzan-Lori Parks reads her debut novel with the same spunk and personality possessed by each of her unique characters. Parks provides a distinctive and credible voice for each chapter, which is narrated by a different character, as Billy Beede, her aunt and uncle, close friend, and a cousin race to dig out Billy's mother's body and the supposed treasure buried with her. Parks's vocal acrobatics are amazing as these down-and-out characters travel across the Southwest. Most delightful is her reading as Willa Mae, the dead mother, as she sings each of her chapters. (Parks collaborated on this with her jazz musician husband.) Overall, the package is a compelling performance by a gifted writer. H.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 03/JAN 04]