Oh My Stars

As this folksy novel opens, the sadness in Violet's life is as thick as the cream on top of the milk bucket. Faced with abandonment, cruelty and a life-altering accident, Violet has an empty heart but also finds herself open to change, which enters in the form of a parade of characters. Teres Byrne's careful reading of this homespun story is skillful and appropriate. She masterfully negotiates complex similes and the voices of varied characters, providing energy and personality. Additionally, she delineates the story's shifts in point of view, keeping the action clear throughout. This pleasurable listen focuses on the nature of human beings and how they treat one another. L.B.F. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine