ILLUMINATION NIGHT

Alice Hoffman has the ability to illuminate the people in her novels so that we can't stop thinking about them. The story of Simon, the too small boy who makes love potions; Eddy, the giant; and all the medium-sized people in between is read without much dramatization by Agnes Herrman. Nonetheless, she shows skill and fine timing. The only noticeable characterizations are created for the interfering women from "away," creating an atmosphere of "us" for the six main characters and "them" for the interlopers, which is perfect for the island setting of Martha's Vineyard. B.H.B. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 00]