THE INTERRUPTION OF EVERYTHING

Desiree Taylor has a Herculean narrative task as McMillan's latest includes every imaginable problem. She beautifully portrays the midlife miseries of Marilyn Grimes, lending genuine joy and despair to her rollicking emotions. As Marilyn's husband faces his own difficulties, Taylor intones his trial solutions with egotism (when he buys a Harley) and humility (when his self-exploration returns him to Marilyn). She delights with the nonstandard English of Marilyn's niece and the hip-hop banter of her sons, and she's at her best with the two elderly characters. Kudos to Taylor for creating an enjoyable listen from the dizzying, but not unrealistic, array of challenges facing middle-aged women. J.J.B. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 05/ JAN 06]