FIRE SERMON

Maggie Ellman loves music, religion, and her family. When she begins an intellectual correspondence that flares into an affair with James, she must confront what her desire for him and for God means to her future. Christine Marshall's narration is by turns quietly introspective and dramatically passionate, reflecting the turmoil of Maggie's inner life over the course of several years. She switches from measured tones to breathy panic with practiced ease, with children's voices being the only weaker element. Though the story moves around in time with the aid of letters, flashbacks, and dreams, Marshall nimbly navigates using vocal cues and varied speaking styles to keep the listener focused on how the pieces fit together. N.M. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2018]