THE SCARLET THREAD

Aimee Lilly's versatile range and skill unite the story of Sierra and Alex, and their marital problems, with that of Sierra's ancestor, Mary Katherine, and her husband, who suffer devastating hardships together on the Oregon Trail. Lilly matches mood to voice when Sierra discovers Mary Katherine's handcrafted quilt and reads her journal entries, finding similarities in their lives and the nature of their problems. Lilly portrays Mary Katherine with a Southern accent and a nineteenth-century vocabulary, and then slips into a warm tone and modern rhythm in her portrayal of Sierra. Lilly's adept pacing and empathy capture this multilayered story of two women searching for meaning during difficult times. With exceptional honesty Lilly delivers a strong, believable performance. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]