The Joys of Love

Beloved for A WRINKLE IN TIME, Madeleine L' Engle did not receive much critical acclaim for her other work, including this semiautobiographical story of a young aspiring actress in New York. Maggi-Meg Reed brings it alive with just the right balance of pleasure and determination. Reed moves easily between a varied cast of characters, who are serving as apprentices in a theater production company. Her enunciation is suggestive of the 1940s setting of the narrative, and her choice of pacing has the effect of a play reading itself. Reed believably depicts both males and females and portrays a multitude of moods, including despair, hope, and, as the young protagonist falls in love, romance. M.R. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

May 26, 2008
Written by the late L'Engle (A Wrinkle in Time
) in the 1940s and never before published, this romantic coming-of-age story will immediately draw in listeners. Twenty-year-old Liz Gerard has wanted to be an actress for as long as she can remember, and has finally been allowed to test her talents by apprenticing at a summer stock company. There Liz falls for the slightly older, charming director, Kurt. During a pivotal weekend, however, Liz learns that Kurt's intentions are not so honorable and she comes to appreciate Ben, who has been patiently waiting in the wings. Listening to Reed's narration of this dialogue-rich work is akin to attending a play. Her expert use of pauses, shifts in voices and quiet passion bring this story to life. Teens may need explanations of items like dirndl skirts and telephones with no dialing mechanisms, but the basic story of first love and deception transcends the period setting. The author's granddaughter Léna Roy supplies an introduction and an interview. Ages 12–up. Simultaneous release with the FSG hardcover (see Children's Reviews).