DEEP PAST

For those anticipating the next JURASSIC PARK-like sci-fi--everyone, right?--look no further than Gabra Zackman's fine performance of Eugene Linden's anthropological adventure, set in remote Kazakhstan. This is science writer Linden's first foray into fiction, and he plunges in with a dramatic plot, academic and corporate skullduggery, a touch of romance, and a fascinating hypothesis. Since evolution produced advanced intelligence once (namely us), perhaps it's happened before. And why assume that the intelligent creature had to have been a homo sapien? Zackman rises to the challenge of many diverse characters, giving all the central folks, including American protagonist Claire Knowland and assorted Kazaks, Russians, and Americans, unique and informative voices. Add a steady, even narration, and you have a fun and involving listen. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2019]