Fool's Curtain

FOOL'S CURTAIN. Claire Lorrimer. 1994/ 2001. Read by Judy Bennett. 12 tapes. 15.5 hrs. BBC Audiobooks America. 0-7540-0761-8, $96,95. Vinyl; plot, author, reader notes. A

"Gold is the fool's curtain, which hides all his defects from the world but not from the eyes of God. Anthony." writes Anthony's father in a letter explaining why he is disinheriting him. The charming and ruthless Anthony marries Zandra and rescues her aristocratic English family from financial ruin, His motives, however, have nothing to do with love. Instead, he needs a wife of position and beauty for his business; and he wants sex--there are numerous scenes of passion and violence. The historical context is slight during WW I and the Depression but becomes prominent in WW II, as Zandra and her family, both in England and France, struggle against the Nazis and learn that Anthony is a traitor.

Bennett is superb at voicing the many characters, old and young, English. French, and German. She is especially good at bringing out emotion: fear, comfort, worry, grief--and of course the snarling Anthony.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.

Vivian Berg, Mandan, ND

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