FICTION RUINED MY FAMILY

Darst’s family was ruined not only by failed writing careers but also by alcoholism, depression, and lots of bad behavior. She gives the sometimes dire tale of her coming-of-age a mostly black comic spin, often with a tone of wry bitterness or self-deprecation. Her voice is strong and likable and her energy engaging; furthermore, she narrates with an actor’s skill for pacing, nuance, and expression. She provides her family members with distinctive voices, though we occasionally get lost among her three sisters. She wisely, or sensitively, drops the humorous tone when the story gets really sad. Darst delivers her often affecting story with enough clarity, charm, feeling, and humor to win the sympathy of listeners who are not too dismayed by the drinking, swearing, scatology, sex, and general misery. W.M. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2012]