In Montmartre

In order to do justice to the story of the artists inhabiting Montmartre during the early twentieth century, a narrator must be able to pronounce all the French places and artists. Emma Bering clearly has that skill, yet, somehow, her performance is more confusing than illuminating. Instead of getting lost among the small streets surrounding the Moulin Rouge and enjoying the gossipy love affair of Picasso with Fernande Olivier, his rivalry with Matisse, and his friendship with Georges Braque, the non-French-speaking listener is just trying to keep up. Even commonly used French words ("rapport," "bistro," "bric-a-brac") are pronounced in the French manner. Bering's voice is lovely and engaging, and her pacing is excellent. Those who speak French may want to give this a listen. Those who don't might best read the book in print. A.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine