THE YIDDISH POLICEMEN'S UNION

It's hard to improve on a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, but Michael Chabon tries admirably in his long awaited follow-up to THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND CLAY. While the prose may not quite match that of his earlier work and the ending is a bit disappointing, Chabon's latest is somewhat more accessible to the masses. It's a bit of a detective story mixed with a pungent commentary on the politics of Judaism and the State of Israel. Peter Riegert adeptly handles the numerous accents and inflections necessary to convey the life of Jewish refugees in a post-Holocaust homeland. Riegert not only uses timbre effectively, he does so while creating distinct and memorable personalities for Chabon's diverse cast. D.J.S. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 07]