DULCINEA

January LaVoy has a robust, elegant voice perfect for narrating the story of the determined Dolça Llull Prat, the fictional muse of author Miguel Cervantes, author of DON QUIXOTE. The story alternates between Dolça's youth and her travels from Barcelona to Madrid to visit the dying Miguel. Dolça's wealthy parents would not allow their union because Miguel lacked a fortune. But Dolça and Miguel defy everyone and have a lifelong intermittent affair. LaVoy does an adequate job with words and names in Spanish and Catalan. She shines when she voices Cervantes; she adds deep emotion as she recounts his frustration with his lack of fortune and fame. Her pacing and emotional command in the passages involving the feared Holy Inquisition heighten suspense. A.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2023]