THE LAZARUS CHILD

There are some actors who boast the kind of talent that makes you wonder why they aren't celebrated more. Allison Janney is a relative unknown, yet she is a natural reader who is as facile with accents as she is with gender and age. Robert Mawson's sprawling novel of love, loss and redemption requires Janney to give voice to children of both sexes, at least one grandmother, and to middle-aged men and women of British and American nationalities. Mawson's story, which dips at times into the realm of psychological science fiction, likely would have taxed the abilities of any actor. But Janney remains in full control, making The Lazarus Child one of the best listening experiences of the year. D.A.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 99]