GOD SAVE THE SWEET POTATO QUEENS

A monumental wrong has been righted as Random House Audio finally brings Browne's deliriously funny and subversively inspiring book to audio. Browne's comic manifestos have struck a chord with women of a certain age who follow her belief that "while it is demeaning to have our beauty judged by strangers, as Southern women it is our birthright to be the queen of some food group as long as we don't have to walk down a runway in a swimsuit to get the crown." Browne's honeyed purr fits the snappy double entendres and ribald tales perfectly, and she's a delight to listen to, whether she's discouraging marriage ("if you must marry, buy a duplex"); singing the praises of Fritos ("Is there a more perfect food on the planet?"); listing the advantages of widowhood over divorce; planning what to eat when tragedy strikes or discussing body types ("I have a friend who insists on wearing the very smallest size clothes.... If that zipper closes, honey, it fits!"). Fair warning: have tissues ready for the audio's last section, a moving tribute to late friends Winston Brown and Willie Morris. This is an empowering, uproarious joy from start to finish. Based on the Three Rivers trade paperback. (June 27)

FYI:Browne's first book, The Sweet Potato Queen's Book of Love, is being simultaneously released as an unabridged audio (ISBN 0-553-75685-0).