MESSER MARCO POLO

This is a strange but often pleasant book. Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., enters into the spirit of the narrative, using an Irish brogue and a surging pace for this retelling of the story of Marco Polo. At times, the combination is odd; to have Polo speak longingly of his Venice home or his Chinese love in an Irish accent is jarring. Since the book was published in 1921, the book's place names and other references are so dated that it isn't always clear where the storyteller is. That said, this romantic account of what took Polo to China, what he found there, and his adventures along the way is pure fun. G.T.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]