CLOUDSPLITTER

The John Brown story is fictionalized in minute detail by Russell Banks; told through the remembrances of Owen Brown, his son; and narrated remarkably well by John Edwardson. Edwardson stays on track with the author's characterization of the self-righteous, relentless Bible-thumping Brown, whose martyrdom to a political cause becomes holy and whose family is destroyed in his terrorist approach to freeing the country from slavery. Now and then there is dialogue interspersed between passages from the Old Testament, and Edwardson is able to show the scope of his excellent narrative ability. He breathes life into the solemn landscape and a brief touch of sunshine flickers through a dour listening experience. J.P. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 99]