GIRLS IN TRUCKS

While the voice of Katie Crouch is present in every word of this first novel, is she the best person to narrate this story of a rebellious child of the South? Sarah Walters has been taught since she was at a very young age to play by the rules of the South Carolina Camellia Society--like the one about how good girls don't ride in pickup trucks with boys. Crouch's intonation barely modulates as Sarah drifts from one unsuccessful relationship to the next, and, while there are surprises at the end of the novel, the listener is long past caring how the story of this whiny character ends. Crouch has a distinct authorial voice, but there's no question that another narrator's voice might have done a better job of driving GIRLS IN TRUCKS. R.O. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2008]