THE SUMMER OF MY GREEK TAVÉRNA

Any devotee of Peter Mayle, Frances Mayes, and Bill Bryson might rush to enjoy another tale of a stranger in a foreign land and his encounters with colorful locals and lush scenery. As the title reveals, Stone’s memoir captures the events surrounding a summer partnership in a beach tavérna on the Greek island of Patmos. There is promise here, but the pacing is uneven, and the tone unclear. The best part is Stone’s relationship with his wife, but even that gets lost in misplaced retellings of local stories and shallow descriptions of other people and places. Reader Lloyd James also seems confused by the ambiguous tone, for at times his performance drags, only to spike into almost manic glee and enthusiasm without provocation. The audiobook is ultimately rewarding, but the listener must be patient. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB / MAR 03]