SWEET DATES IN BASRA

Reading rhythmically and poetically, Adriana Nichols infuses this epic about several intertwined childhoods in pre-war Iraq with nostalgia and emotion. She distinguishes between male and female characters across a range of ages—from mothers and fathers to their adolescent children. These transitions are managed easily despite the inclusion of several families whose lives make up the trajectory of the novel. The jealousies between sisters and the jokes of young boys are brought vividly to life. There are times, though, when Nichols’s affected accent—used to mimic the various speakers of dialogue—interrupts the listener’s enjoyment of her otherwise-smooth cadence. There is a considerable amount of dialogue, so if this disturbs the listener, then it can affect the overall enjoyment of the book. M.R. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2010]