THE FIFTH SUMMER

This tale of a British family on vacation in Italy is as notable for what doesn't happen as what does. Lorna, the wife, mystified by her husband's physical and emotional distance, is tempted by a rakish Italian. The husband, literally sick at heart, spends a chaste night with an independent young woman who, in turn, is fancied by the family's son. A disgruntled druggie disables her father's car in hopes of inheriting his money. Boyd masterfully exploits the tension in these and other situations. Her clear diction ensures that you won't miss a word. And rather than changing voices, she gives each character personality with pace, timbre, and emotional energy--the angst of a teenager or the peevishness of the villa's owner. Sutherland is better known in the UK than Stateside, but don't let unfamiliarity discourage you. J.B.G. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]