THE GARDEN ANGEL

THE GARDEN ANGEL is a Southern novel with an engaging sweetness that never overpowers. Unlike some contemporary Southern works, Friddle's novel is offbeat without awkwardness. It depicts local flavor without clichés and is distinctive without forcing the point. Julia Gibson, too, captures the essence of the Southern voice without the distraction of too many contrived accents. The story's point of view shifts from one chapter to another, and Gibson never misses a beat with her subtle vocal changes. As two very different women, Cutter and Elizabeth, struggle to find security and contentment in their respective lives, they realize that some changes must be endured, for better or worse. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2008]