FEATHER BOY

Nicky Singer has delivered a winner. While Feather Boy is a touching and deeply felt story, the most amazing thing is the narration. Philip Franks is outstanding, the best new voice in audio. Known for his role in the popular British series "Darling Buds of May," he is very good, managing to get more emotion across, more of what the characters are really feeling, almost magically. The story is told to us by Robert, the kid we all know, who never gets picked for the team, the one bullies swarm to. It's Robert's encounter with an old lady and the quest she sends him on to the local haunted house that starts to change his life. You'll find yourself hoping and praying for the salvation of this wonderful kid. There's also a good dollop of humor in Robert, which Franks brings out splendidly. This is one you'll want to listen to again and again. D.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 02]