This gripping and passionate tale of an Australian family is a natural for audio presentation, and Mary Woods gives a worthy rendering. The daunting variety of characters would challenge any reader, but after floundering briefly in the myriad distinctive voices, Woods hits her stride with distinction. As the plot takes the listener from the Australian outback to the Papal court, Woods brings to life characters ranging from loutish Luke O'Neill to single-minded Meggie Cleary to urbane Vittorio Scarbanza di Contini-Verchese, characters who speak not only with emotion, but also with believable accents.