This story, the reading of it, is haunting me. When first I got it I thought, been there, done that...another woman runs from an abusive husband, with the kid, and the husband is a cop. I think it was only because Lili Taylor is the reader that I went with this. I am so glad. Yes, the theme is well-overdone, but this is done so well, no gore, and absolute beauty in the emotions and words of the heroine Fran/Beth. Others have said it, and I've found it myself, the reader makes or breaks the book, and I cannot imagine feeling this story as much if not for the soft, almost breathless snap Taylor puts to the words, just the right touch of that Brooklyn accent to keep it from being clichéd; a hint of Southern drawl for Cindy. I can't emphasize enough how I believe Taylor made this book. An unexpected twist for an ending, one that leaves us yearning along with Beth, and saddened me that the story was over. This book and the characters pulled me so strongly that for the very first time EVER, I brought the tapes into the house and popped them into a cassette and "read" in the dark. My first Quindlen, but NOT my last.
This book is an Oprah's Club audio cassette. I couldn't put it down it is wonderful. IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE THAT HAS BEEN ABUSED THis book is an eye opener....Even if not......IT IS A BOOK THAT YOU WILL NOT WANT TO STOP LISTENING TO.........IT IS AMAZING
Being a grief therapist and an expert in the field of domestic violence, I found this to be an EXCELLENT fictional account of a woman who is abused and trying to break free. Although it is abridged, it doesn't have the feel of a lot of abridged tapes, and it felt very satisfying both as I listened and when it was over. Sad but not maudlin.
Carla H. (midwifecarla) reviewed Black and Blue (Audio Cassette) (Abridged) on + 63 more book reviews
A battered mother and her son secretly move to a new town and begin to build new lives. A wonderful story of self realization and determination.
Synopsis
An abused wife named Frannie leaves home with her young son, and lives under a new identity in Florida, where she tries to make a comfortable life for the two of them. She is always in fear that her husband will find her, however, and ultimately he does, but Frannie is resilient, and survives to go on to a new life.
An abused wife named Frannie leaves home with her young son, and lives under a new identity in Florida, where she tries to make a comfortable life for the two of them. She is always in fear that her husband will find her, however, and ultimately he does, but Frannie is resilient, and survives to go on to a new life.
This book was very good and read superbly by Lily Taylor. She was spot on with the narration.
