ACTRESS

Listening is a real treat, especially for those who like to hear the author narrating. Man Booker Prize winner Anne Enright's delivery of her heartrending novel ranks with the best of author/narrator performances. Growing up with a beautiful mother is hard for any girl, but when her mother's a famous, unpredictable actress, the psychological complexities are stunning. Enright voices Norah O'Dell, a novelist who is trying to capture the glossy enigma who was her mother. With Irish lilt in evidence, Enright is both mother--Katherine O'Dell, red-haired, troubled, golden voiced, "faux Irish"--and daughter--Norah, wife, mother, and novelist, who is trying to make sense of their terrible, wonderful mother-daughter relationship. Written with heart and intelligence, the story will carry listeners on a deeply emotional voyage. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2020]