THE YADA YADA PRAYER GROUP

Even those who normally aren't drawn to Christian fiction should give this novel a listen. That's because much honored narrator Barbara Rosenblat puts new gloss on her sterling reputation in its narration. Rosenblat depicts a large cast of characters masterfully, in particular differentiating the multinational members of the titular prayer group. Moving easily from goody-two-shoes Jodi Baxter to her Jamaican, Honduran, and South African friends, Rosenblat illuminates a diverse group of women who bond by facing life's challenges through prayer. When Rosenblat dramatizes the prayers of an African-American member, the listener is tempted to shout "hallelujah!" Bravo to Rosenblat for transforming a nice novel into a notable audiobook. J.J.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 04]