Looking for a gift for the special woman in your life? Audios may be your answer! Here are recommendations for all genre-lovers.
Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking, read by Barbara Caruso (Highbridge Audio, unabridged, $26.95, four CDs, 51/4 hr.)
Didion writes of her marriage and the loss after her husband's sudden death. Already suffering from the unexpected hospitalization of her daughter, Didion writes lyrically, shockingly, and truthfully, as she suffers waves of remembrance and grief and tries to put her life back together. She writes, "Life changes fast. Life changes in the instant. You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends" and this becomes a repeated chorus and her heart-breaking, beautiful tribute to love. Caruso does an amazing jobs of following the rhythms of Didion's life and words, giving an eloquent reading that the elegant writing deserves.
Philippa Gregory, The Queen's Fool, narrated by Bianca Amato (Recorded Books, $62.95, unabridged, 14 cassettes, 20.5 hours)
The best-selling author transports listeners back to the intrigue and danger of 1553 England with the help of viewpoint character Hannah Green. Hannah's mother has been killed as a heretic by the Spanish Inquisition so Hannah learns to hide her Jewish background, her sex, and her past in England. When Hannah's prophetic gift is discovered by Robert Dudley, she is swept into a world of hidden secrets as she serves Dudley, then Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth. Gregory's gift for research, detailing and characterization shows in this story of young woman caught between warring loyalties. Amato's even storytelling voice turns into performance when she portrays cocky Robert Dudley, playful Elizabeth, and devout Mary.
Diane Gabaldone, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, read by Geraldine James
(Random House Audio, $39.95, abridged, 13 CDs, 15 hours)
Gabaldone fans will welcome her sixth in the Outlander series which follows the life of Claire Fraser, a time traveler from the 20th century who falls in love with 18th century Scottish Highlander, Jamie Fraser and blends history, fantasy, and romance. This latest takes place on the brink of the Revolutionary War and finds Claire, Jamie and their daughter Brianna live with their families in the North Carolina mountains. They're also on the brink of their death date if an article read in the future is correct. And who will Jamie, who loves crown and freedom, support in the coming war? This is a guilty-pleasure audio that will be savored from beginning to end. The fabulous story is enhanced by James' excellent pacing is excellent and lyrical reading.
Laurie King, Locked Doors, read by Jenny Sterlin (Recorded Books, $39.39, unabridged, 14 hours, 10 cassettes)
Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes' younger wife, is trouble by nightmares as the pair travels to San Francisco to shut down her parents' home. Her nightmares lead to discovery and finally resolution of a string of murders that occurred after the 1906 earthquake and her family's fatal accident. King's flawless research, excellent characterizations, and graceful writing bring alive 1920's San Francisco flappers, Chinese immigration, and even appearances by Dashiell Hammett. Sterlin adjusts fluidly from the voice of narrator to Mary's crisp British accents, Holmes' erudite dreaminess, and stilted Chinese immigrants' dialogue.