A CHILDHOOD IN SCOTLAND

Growing up in an ancient castle and being the daughter of the “Monarch of the Glen” sounds wonderfully romantic. But this memoir is nothing of the sort. We hear about the austere, lonely life experienced by the author/reader growing up in a home in which children were not to be coddled or indulged. Christian Miller tells her own story in a flat world-weary voice that not only gives a clear picture of life in the castle, but also conveys the emotionally deadening effect of her harsh upbringing. Listening to this production is like having tea with an elderly relative who takes the time to tell you absolutely everything about her life as a little girl. It is a literate and unusual presentation of oral history. D.L.G. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 05]