CHINA RUN

Six American families receive Chinese babies to adopt and then are told that a mistake has been made and they must return the infants. Some comply, but three defy the order and go on the run in a strange land where they stick out in crowds and don’t speak the language. This compelling plot, based on a true incident, grabs your attention quickly, helped by George Guidall’s empathetic narration. His voice and delivery are near perfect for a plot that makes listeners cheer the fugitives, boo the officials out to stop them, and learn that help and hindrance come from both countries. Guidall slides easily through the Chinese language and its inflections; he seems equally at home as a whiny youngster, a peasant fisherman, or a tourist from Louisiana. The baby mix-up leads to the uncovering of something much uglier, so allow plenty of time to get hooked by this thriller. J.B.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 03]