A Corner of the Universe

The author's comments at the end of this audiobook confirm the personal connection she has with this story of families and tolerance, but listeners have no doubt in the honesty of 11-year-old Hattie Owen. Steeped in a 1950s setting, adults will especially enjoy the fine cultural details and children will easily grasp the different pace and manners of the time, and Hattie's small town life. Judith Ivey is exceptional--conveying striking emotional and compassionate power. Ivey's portrait of Adam, Hattie's disabled, savant uncle who suddenly reenters the family's life, is nothing short of brilliant. His accelerated, charged speech, and rhythmic then agitated tone and timbre is masterfully handled. Ivey masters the dialogue, mimicking "I Love Lucy" shows and making obtuse connections, giving listeners an involving glimpse into Adam's corner of the universe. R.F.W. Winner of 2004 ALA Notable Recording, 2004 Audie Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

October 13, 2003
Martin (Belle Teal
) and actress Ivey reach perfect emotional pitch on this recording of Martin's profoundly moving novel about a girl's conflicted relationship with a relative who suffers from a mental illness. The summer that Hattie turns 12 is a swirl of change. Already shy and trying to find a good fit in her own skin, Hattie meets for the first time her mentally ill Uncle Adam—a family member she never knew existed because he's been hospitalized for years. Adam stays with his parents, Hattie's grandparents, for the summer while they attempt to find a new care facility for him. Hattie soon believes that she and Adam are kindred spirits and she grows to treasure his company, even though the townsfolk treat Adam like a freak. When two dramatic events prove devastating for Adam, Hattie faces some of the darkest yet also illuminating days of her young life. All through this heartfelt work, Ivey keeps her tone slightly matter-of-fact and even light, painting Hattie's journey as one of discovery and blossoming compassion rather than sad introspection or anger. Her depiction of Adam, capturing a fast pace sometimes suggesting Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man
, commendably refrains from going over the top. A brief author's note provides listeners with Martin's personal connections to (and also differences from) the characters and events in the book. Ages 12-up.

January 1, 2004
Gr 5-8-Twelve-year-old Hattie Owen's life changes forever when a hitherto unknown mentally disabled uncle returns to live with her grandparents in the small town that comprises Hattie's entire world in this novel by Ann M. Martin (Scholastic, 2002). From their first meeting it's clear that Adam sees life much differently and expresses emotions more intensely than is "normal" or comfortable for his aging and controlling parents. His outlandish antics, unexpected outbursts, and emotional vulnerability make him an appealing, yet challenging person whose tendency to ask questions that others might prefer be left unvoiced creates both humorous and uncomfortable situations. Judith Ivey's soft-spoken yet impassioned narration perfectly captures Hattie's desire to help her uncle navigate the raging currents of his feelings as well as her fear that his problems may someday surface in her own personality. Hattie's longing for things to remain the same and her fear of the world beyond her neighborhood conflict with her tentative efforts to make new friends. Ivey effectively uses this tension to draw listeners ever deeper into Hattie's world, providing a thoroughly satisfying and thought-provoking auditory experience.-Cindy Lombardo, Orrville Public Library, OH

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.