LAST DAYS OF DOGTOWN

Anita Diamant's stark sketch of a group of society's throwaways focuses on the once promising community of Dogtown, near Gloucester, Mass. By 1814, the area is reduced to broken-down hovels populated by wild dogs, whores, emancipated slaves, destitute widows and orphans, who survive by wile, duplicity, and sheer force of will. Kate Nelligan's performance highlights these examples of human resilience, from Black Ruth, an African woman who dresses like a man; to Tammy, a vicious old woman who torments her orphaned nephew; to Judy, whose taboo love affair with Cornelius, a freed slave, is fraught with danger. With unsentimental eloquence, Nelligan embodies the free-thinking spirit of these New Englanders and handles individual joys and tragedies with compassion. A fascinating book and an extraordinary performance. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award 2006 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]