A VERY EASY DEATH

De Beauvoir’s memoir recounts the death of her mother from a cancer of which she is never informed. The author and her sister maintain a vigil at their mother’s side throughout the short ordeal, reflecting on how the older woman has approached the trials and joys of her life. Hillary Huber offers a respectful narration of the intimate story, resisting the subject matter’s invitation to sentimentality. She portrays Simone de Beauvoir in unaccented standard American English, while giving her mother a sweet French flavor and an aged creakiness of voice. Throughout, Huber’s matter-of-fact performance retains a nuance of sensitivity in exactly the right measure. R.L.L. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 05]