THE GRASSHOPPER TRAP

This humor anthology features both childhood reminiscences, such as the title story, and outdoorsman anecdotes on such topics as the author's running battles with tents and how to build a gun collection without letting your wife know about it. The childhood stories are most memorable, particularly one called "Stone Soup," about McManus's encounter with hoboes while briefly running away from home. Norman Dietz gives McManus's essays the air of a friend telling of a favorite experience, with some exaggeration. Especially enjoyable are his voices of birds as McManus tells of his misadventures with hummingbirds, chickens, and crows. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 02/ JAN 03]