CALLUS ON MY SOUL

As a stand-up comic, Dick Gregory appealed to white audiences, in spite of his preoccupation with racism. Just so, the experiences and impressions of the comedian, civil rights activist, and inventor of the Slim-Safe Bahamian Diet transcend a parochially ethnic interest. Listeners may regret that the author failed to narrate this book. Even in the mouth of actor Peter Jay Fernandez his distinctive voice penetrates. Fernandez contributes a pleasant voice and an expressive reading but lacks the author's finesse as a public speaker. On purpose or not, Fernandez somewhat softens Gregory's bitterness about his struggles against prejudice, instead emphasizing sentiment and the author's brushes with figures who, like him, have become part of American culture. Y.R. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]