FALLEN SKIES

Philippa Gregory won the 1990 Romantic Novelist of The Year Award, but this post WWI novel is not a romantic novel. The dark, suspenseful story concerns the clearly doomed marriage of a former infantry officer and the aspiring singer who catches his attention. Marie McCarthy narrates with a cool, cultured, perfectly modulated voice, which suits a story set amid the British upper class. The essential message is that those who fell on Flanders fields were better off than some who came home, emotionally and morally damaged beyond redemption. While the characters are memorable and the action at the end compelling, the book is overly long and emotionally draining. This production is recommended for those who have time, enjoy a solid portrayal of a past era, like psychological studies, or enjoy listening to a good reader. D.L.G. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 04/ JAN 05]