FRANCES AND BERNARD

Carlene Bauer’s novel follows the correspondence and ensuing friendship of a young man and a young woman who meet at an artist’s colony. Bauer’s account of the ups and downs of Frances and Bernard’s relationship is by turns beautiful and heartbreaking. Her story in enhanced by the superb narration of Angela Brazil and Stephen Thorne, who narrate Frances and Bernard’s letters, respectively. Both narrators excel at bringing forth the joy and pain in the letters, ensuring that the listener receives the full emotional impact of Frances and Bernard’s story. Brazil and Thorne’s delivery is natural and expressive, taking Bauer’s lovely work and making it a memorable listening experience. J.L.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2013]