HILL TOWNS

Catherine and Joe Gaillard travel to Italy and encounter ex-patriot Sam Forrest, as well as other Americans. Actress Marcia Gay Harden's breathy drawl for the story's central character, Catherine ("Cat") , reminds listeners of a sleek, secretive feline. Harden's voice becomes clearer, harder and less tentative as Cat discovers more about herself, her husband and their relationship in their new environment. Sam Forrest, a pivotal character, has a particularly well-toned voice, tough and quick. Harden's success with characterizations is completed by the "ghastly" Orlanda and, indeed, that's the way she sounds. M.G.S. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB 94]