EVENING STAR

Barbara Rosenblat is a treasure, a reader who could make the phone book compelling listening, gifted with character differentiation, drama, nuance, poignancy, and, best of all, joy in her work. She brings all of these qualities to EVENING STAR, not McMurtry's best novel, but a good story nonetheless. Aurora Greenway, now in late middle age, never fails to fascinate as she copes with one adult grandchild imprisoned for murder, another who is pregnant but can't identify the father, a third who is mentally ill. She's up to their challenges most of the time, with help and hindrance from assorted hangers-on. It's a motley crew, and Rosenblat wrings tears, laughter, suspense, and surprise from them all. T.H.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]