NOTORIOUS

Destiny Fontaine, virgin widow, gives her virtue to a stranger in the woods and conceives his child. Later learning that he's been sent abroad to murder her father, she boards the blackguard's ship bound for India, rescues her father, and marries her illicit paramour. Josephine Bailey's sweet narration belies the strength of her performance and her mastery of a number of accents. Most convincing are those of India, for which she paints several regional accents and castes from Peshawar to ayah. Her sniveling British nobility beautifully convey the disdain intended by the author. Bailey shines in the romantic passages, where her alternate softening and strengthening of tone and breathless rush of emotion bring the wonder of each kiss to the listener's own lips. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 02]