THURSDAYS IN THE PARK

Jeanie's only escape from her increasing stifling roles as a neglected wife and unappreciated mother is on Thursdays, when she goes to the park with her granddaughter, Ellie. Narrator Joanna David's clear voice and calm reading capture the protagonist's patience and level-headedness as she copes with her family. However, David's quickening and quavering pace also reflect Jeanie's growing internal conflict between her family duties and following her heart. Though the voices of the other female characters at times melt into one another, David effectively captures two-year-old Ellie's sweet voice with a high pitch and a gentle mispronunciation of words. One wishes the story were not disrupted by numerous editing issues that create unnaturally long pauses. M.F. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2013]