FORTUNE'S ROCKS

The summer Olivia Biddeford turns 16 starts with the small pleasures of the seashore and ends with tumultuous events of scandal and disgrace. The Biddefords' turn-of-the-century world of scholarship and privilege is fluidly depicted by Blair Brown's narration. Her voice is gentle, yet easily captures Olivia's impetuousness and passion throughout the story. The stylized formality of the period, its customs and speech seem natural and without artifice. Brown's performance isn't overly sentimental and plays to the heart of the story, to Olivia's strength, her independence and its consequences. The production is carefully orchestrated in pace and mood. Side breaks and changes of scene show the expert hand of director Lars Hoel. R.F.W. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 00]