ON WHALE ISLAND Notes From a Place I Never Meant to Live

This engrossing book relates the author's family's year-long residence on an island they bought off the coast of Nova Scotia. It's narrated by Bruce Altman, who sounds like he should be narrating a history of Brooklyn. Not that this is a bad thing. Altman is interesting, and he has a snappiness to his voice that keeps your attention. It's just that he has such a strong New York accent that every once in a while you expect him to come out with a "fuhgedaboudit." Altman keeps the story moving with impeccable diction and great timing, and he knows just when to nail a punch line. This is a feel-good book, and Altman keeps the mood upbeat. R.I.G. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB / MAR 03]