TIME TO BE IN EARNEST A Fragment of Autobiography

You'll have a hard time believing that it's not P.D. James speaking here, so precisely does June Barrie's mature voice and delivery match what the celebrated British mystery writer says about herself. Using the device of a yearlong diary as a jumping-off point, the 70-something James highlights various events in her busy life and, in turn, uses those events as a springboard to discuss milestones in her personal history or to air her views on everything from the future of the BBC to the outcome of many of England's best-known murder trials. James and Barrie are by turn witty, outspoken, cautionary, peevish, and informative. One senses a lively intellect and great strength of purpose here. A lady who lives largely amid the public, on tour and at dinners with legions of notables, she nevertheless treasures her privacy. Her irritation at noisy restaurants and intrusive cell phones is as obvious as her desire not to dwell on her husband's mental illness and early death. James, like most writers, is sensitive to others' interpretations of her work. One hopes she likes this excellent reading--and Barrie is forgiven for mispronouncing "Houston." J.B.G. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]