Hiding Place

When Ten Boom's close-knit, deeply Christian Dutch family, who lived over their watch shop, became involved in the Dutch resistance after the Nazi invasion, the consequences were dire. Bernadette Dunne gives Ten Boom a slightly worn voice, which works well for a story told in retrospect. Dunne also indicates other characters with ease and suppleness. She manages to convey the remarkable way the book maintains a sense of warmth, kindness, and hopefulness while depicting the horrors of Nazi-run prisons and work camps. Dunne also renders Ten Boom's sometimes-faltering but profound faith as it should be, with deep feeling but no taint of self-righteousness. With sensitivity and tact, Dunne gives this harrowing story the engaging narration it merits. W.M. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Corrie ten Boom was the leader of the Dutch Underground during WWII. This play, adapted from her classic memoir, is staged expertly. Sound effects ground readers in space--a dog's yelp, the ticking of 10 watches--and guide emotional response. Each voice comes through clearly, and characters are differentiated from one another--including minor ones. One can even tell each character's location in space and how he or she is interacting. The writing and directing, however, are more limited. Though this is a story of real heroes whose faith compelled them to hide Jews from the Nazis, they seem flattened, like characters in a melodrama, and, therefore, not quite believable. G.T.B. 2006 Audie Award Winner (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine