MILK GLASS MOON: A Big Stone Gap Novel

The third book in Trigiani's series about the middle-aged but young-at-heart Ave Maria of Big Stone Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains is simply made for the ear. The author colorfully and flawlessly captures the characters' southern and Italian accents, transporting listeners into Ave Maria's charmed world. She's a pharmacist in a small Virginia town but has relatives in Italy; and her daughter Etta has just entered her teen years, causing Ave Maria much heartache and uncertainty. She's torn between wanting Etta to mature and wishing Etta was much younger. She cheerfully discusses affairs from the daily chatter at the drugstore counter to more serious matters, such as the death of her son years earlier and her best friend Iva Lou's breast cancer. The dialogue is always snappy (e.g., after Ave Maria has seen a man she's attracted to, Iva Lou quips, "That's how they keep us hooked... those rats"). The words, as well as Trigiani's cadence and emotions, allow listeners to easily envision each character. They'll appreciate Ave Maria's enthusiasm when she visits New York and Italy and describes everything in lush detail. But when she's flying home and remarks, "southwest Virginia is an uncomplicated place for a complicated person," listeners will also understand exactly what is meant. This is a treasure of an audio. Simultaneous release with the Random House hardcover (Forecasts, June 24). (July)