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Synopsis
From Library JournalThis collection of three short stories? "Medusa's Ankles," "Art Work," and "The Chinese Lobster"?is elegantly delivered by Virginia Leishman. In each story, Byatt uses bright splashes of verbal color, in exotic and elegant combination, to paint word pictures similar to the oil paintings of Matisse. Each story incorporates the fields of art and art history into its plot. Those plots are expertly crafted and completely believable, with surprising twists and turns. Colors, textures, and surfaces play a central part in creating imagery both rich and deep. These are memorable portraits, and Leishman's interpretation is a delight. Highly recommended.?Joanna Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Sch. of Continuing Education, Providence
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
A.S. Byatt offers three stories that tantalize the senses. Sounds, colors, tastes and aromas are each part of the vivid imagery Byatt creates. In narrator Virginia Leishman's interpretation, each of the sensory references becomes even more striking. In "Medusa's Ankles," the balancing of the internal thoughts and external dialogue is masterful. In "Art Work," Leishman uses her crisp, clear British voice to describe the clothes and settings and, in particular, the elaborate, surprising fiber sculptures. Leishman is able to project the careful flow of conversation between characters with unusual subtlety. She uses inflections and pauses to reveal much about the characters. Through this sensitive narration, Byatt's stories are both soothing and provocative. As listening takes place at a slower pace than one might read, the images seem suspended for an instant before the next sentence continues. R.F.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE's Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Book Details
Published
November 1, 1999
Publisher
Recorded Books
ISBN
9780788711497