LOCAL GIRLS

These short stories develop the lives of Gretel Samuelson and her family and friends in a Long Island town. Divorce, friendship, addiction and growing up are the themes of Hoffman's tales, which are told in breathless nonstop words and phrases. Gretel is portrayed with a sharp, quick voice, her brother Jason with warm, throaty tones that capture his slow decline from heroin addiction. Merlington and Vigesaa alternate stories that are differentiated only by their changes in timbre and speed of narration. As always, Hoffman brings the listener her spiritual perspective for dealing with life--its tragedies, struggles and successes. M.B.K. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 00]