Emerald City

These 11 stories of self-discovery and searching from Egan--set everywhere from Bora Bora to New York City--chart the lives, longings, and struggles of a variety of characters: wives, bankers, models, just to name a few. Narrated by a gifted cast, the tales come to life via a series of winning readings, each one as enjoyable as the last. At times, it's almost as if the three narrators are attempting to outdo each other with inspired reading after inspired reading. Among the high points is Madeleine Lambert's memorable performance of "Sacred Heart," about a Roman Catholic schoolgirl who recounts her past and looks forward to the discoveries of the future. Narrators Charlie Thurston and Richard Waterhouse both read with muted intensity, imbuing their respective performances with drama and tension. Fans of Egan--and the short story--will be delighted. An Anchor paperback. (Aug.)