THE SWALLOW AND THE HUMMINGBIRD

At WWII's end, Rita waits for her beloved George to return from the war to marry her. Instead, he heads off to Argentina, where he falls for a physically and emotionally scarred woman. Back at Frogmoor Point, Rita is courted by Max, a Jewish refugee, but she holds out hope that George will one day keep his promise of marriage. This melodramatic story has some clichés--George's leaving England because he feels stifled and, later, the character of Rita's mysterious benefactor. But Juanita McMahon carries the novel along with a graceful English voice and fine characterizations, both of which make it engaging enough to keep pressing play to find out how the triangles come out. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 05/ JAN 06]