cover image The Paris Wife

The Paris Wife

Paula McLain, read by Carrington Macduffie. Random House Audio, unabridged, 10 CDs, 11.5 hrs., $40 ISBN 978-0-3078-7718-5

McLain's novel covers the marriage of Hadley Richardson and Ernest Hemingway, from their romantic, early years in Paris%E2%80%94where they slow danced to the sounds of the accordion drifting up from the apartment below, lunched with Gertrude Stein, and had cocktails with the Fitzgeralds%E2%80%94to their marriage growing more complicated as Ernest's literary career takes off. Carrington Macduffie's voice for Ernest is harsh and guttural, which makes him sound less charismatic and makes it difficult for the listener to understand why Hadley puts up with him as long as she does. Macduffie's voice for Hadley is stilted and timid at first%E2%80%94Hadley is perpetually fumbling for the right word, but she gradually sounds increasingly self-assured. Macduffie's ability to communicate Hadley's transformation vocally makes for moving listening. A Ballantine hardcover. (Mar.)