DOWN TO THE DIRT

Picture a teenaged outcast in Newfoundland and his two closest friends--they all love to talk dirty, each with charming intonation, reminiscent of an Irish accent. This is why the audio version of Hynes's first novel (really linked stories) is more than welcome. Hynes, also an actor, narrates in protagonist Keith Kavanagh's voice, joined by Sherry White and Johnny Harris. If anyone has ever wondered what's going through the minds of those eternal bad boys and the girls they hook up with, this sensitive portrait is a good place to begin. Hynes's clipped style, taking stories to a breaking point, then dropping them cold, before too much emotion sets in, works very well. Listeners could do without the sophomoric sound effects between chapters, however. R.R. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]