THE ASHFORD AFFAIR

A family secret is slowly revealed in a saga that juxtaposes two settings: a coffee plantation in Kenya in the early twentieth century and New York City at the close of the century. The story is told from two viewpoints: that of Clemmie, a modern-day New York lawyer, and that of her grandmother, Addie, who lived on the plantation as a young woman. Narrator Nicola Barber faces the challenges of differentiating the strong female protagonists and helping to transport the listener through time and across continents. Barber does this effectively by using a light and winsome voice for the naïve young Addie and a slightly more sophisticated voice with a New York accent for Clemmie. These effective techniques contribute to a polished performance. K.J.P. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2013]