WINESBURG, OHIO

In 1919, Sherwood Anderson published a timeless book of connected short stories about the brave, cowardly, and altogether realistic inhabitants of an imaginary American town. In 2002, Caedmon gathered 25 respected American writers to read the stories. It’s a concept production that works. A few quibbles, yes. The writers read empathetically but can swallow words or rush a sentence. And at first, it’s startling to adapt to one reader only to change for the next story. That said, the different voices encourage one to focus on the uniqueness of each story. And the match between reader and story often illuminates a theme. Thus, Richard Ford, chronicler of men who sabotage their lives, renders the tale of Wing Littlebaum in “Hands” particularly heartbreaking. This production is full of such wonderful pieces--do listen. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]