WICKETT'S REMEDY

Lydia Wickett creates a patent "remedy," and her husband writes soothing letters to their mail-order clients. Wickett's Remedy and the travails of WWI soon drift off, while Boston's 1918 influenza epidemic takes center stage. Author/narrator Goldberg gives a straightforward reading. Unfortunately, numerous interior monologues and voices from the dead (done by the supporting cast) slow things down and add confusion. Additionally, these insertions are so over-reverbed that the echo threatens to overshadow the text. Excessive incidental music and sporadic, gimmicky sound effects represent a clear case of overkill. Audio purists will be irritated by the frequent interruptions to the narrative flow of this ambitious tale from the author of BEE SEASON. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]