THE REPUBLIC OF LOVE

The author, a Pulitzer Prize-winner, reads her comic romance with sympathy, humor and a storyteller's expertise. Her soft, un-actorly voice lends intimacy and authenticity to her delightful style. At times, fatigue brings out barely discernible mouth noises, though her energy and concentration never flag. Unfortunately, her glassy "s's" will affect some listeners like fingernails on slate; this is a fault the producers should have solved with a simple gizmo aptly called a "de-esser." As is the case with many Penguin audiobooks, we occasionally hear edits while, unlike many Penguins, there is little ambient noise. Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: MAR 97]