FALLING MAN

With books such as LIBRA and UNDERWORLD, DeLillo has become an important fictional chronicler of recent American history. FALLING MAN, which takes place in the wake of 9/11, adds to that body of work. Sadly, it does not translate well to audio. The magic of DeLillo's story is that it roams from place to place, focusing on one minor player, then another, before continually returning to the protagonists. This structure requires closer attention than most listeners are prepared for. No suspense keeps people hanging on every word. John Slattery narrates in the flat, almost shell-shocked, voice it would seem the author intends. For those willing to devote themselves solely to the act of listening, this book is the real thing. R.R. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 07]