SPIDERWEB

In many ways, listening to this book is like encountering a real spider’s web. When you come upon it, it’s interesting, with little imperfections but ultimately beautiful. When you leave it, however, you have little memory of ever having encountered it. Much of this has to do with narrator Diana Bishop’s voice in combination with the text itself. Bishop has a pleasant British accent and creates some interesting characters, but her voice does not grab your attention and keep it. The story doesn’t help either. It takes place in the English countryside, where a retired anthropologist turns her talents on observing the locals. There are a few twists and turns, but ultimately it’s rather, well, forgettable. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]