Heartfelt Voice Trapped in a Joyless Family

Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club choices tend to be about women who overcome horrendous odds. A. Manette Ansay’s latest effort, “Vinegar Hill,” meets that requirement, although it is such a tender and emotionally raw piece of fiction that one can ignore the cliche of a woman in peril. (Harper Audio; unabridged fiction; four cassettes; six hours; $25; read by Debra Monk.)

Ansay’s descriptive account of a woman trapped in a rigid life is so heartfelt that at times it is difficult to hear. When Ellen Grier is forced to move back to her husband’s childhood home on Vinegar Hill in Wisconsin after he loses his job in Illinois, she finds herself mired in a life she never expected.

Ellen’s husband, James, reverts to childhood behavior around his distant mother and abusive father. Though Ellen works full time as a teacher, she becomes the family’s housekeeper and cook, leaving little time for her two children or for herself. Because the story takes place in 1972, Ellen cannot consider leaving her husband and their miserable life; her family and community would be too unforgiving.

Part of the reason this is such a difficult novel to hear is the uncompromising description of a Midwestern family that frowns on joy and believes in an unforgiving God. Ellen’s in-laws are narrow, selfish and mean. But Ansay shades the novel by providing background details concerning James’ parents, giving the story a chilling resonance.

When it is revealed that the one grain of familial hope Ellen derives from her in-laws is based on a vicious family secret, both she and the listener realize that hope is not elusive, even if the cost is horrifying.

At times the writing is too descriptive, which gets in the way of the story. But Debra Monk guides us through occasionally stilted prose with consummate ease. Monk helps us to hear tremulous longing and the tense despair of entrapment.

Another plus is Monk’s ability to change her personality for each character. Ellen’s mother-in-law is so coarse and flinty that one never doubts her callous demeanor. Monk also picks up a guttural Germanic accent for some characters in the German American community.

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Set in the small town of Petal, Miss., in 1959, another of Oprah’s Book Club picks has been released unabridged and cleverly matched to a talented, if hitherto unknown, narrator.

“Mother of Pearl,” by Melinda Haynes, is filled with language that is both lovely and unique to a specific era and place. It is a tale of people, both black and white, coming together to form a family that defies the racial strife of the era in which it is set. (Dove Audio; unabridged fiction; 12 cassettes; 18 hours; $50; read by Nana Visitor.)

Even Grade is a 28-year-old black man in love with Joody Two Sun, a local eccentric who lives in the woods, weaves sticks into her hair and “reads” people with electrifying clarity. It is through Joody that Even meets Valuable Korner, the white teenage daughter of the town’s strumpet. Bonds are formed and lives are forever changed for the principal members of this story as well as those who complete their circles.

Though the novel is simple at its core, and therefore predictable, the language and characterization are unusually rich. However, Haynes’ style can be confusing, as she occasionally writes of an event as if it were known, then describes it in a later passage. Such backtracking is easier for a reader who can go back and scan a passage. Fortunately, she doesn’t overuse this awkward style.

Broadway and television actress Nana Visitor has been added to the list of narrators that deserve future attention. Her Southern accent is convincing and consistent. She drops her voice for men and picks up a reserved demeanor for a patrician character known for her reserve.

Not only does Visitor provide a range of voices, but her performance is sincere without overpowering the novel. Using a light touch, she weaves despair, excitement and fear into her performance when such emotion is required.

*

Rochelle O’Gorman reviews audio books every other week. Next week: Dick Lochte on mystery books.