REDEMPTION FALLS

After the Civil War, Eliza Mooney treks across America to find her brother. General James O’Keeffe watches his efforts at peacekeeping deteriorate as vigilantism comes to Redemption Falls. Outlaws, runaway slaves, the ravaged land, and bleak prospects offer a kaleidoscope of characters and confusion. Rich, descriptive, and fluid, O’Connor’s novel is an amorphous story, reminiscent of Joycean stream of consciousness combined with the sensuous poetry and lavish language of Dylan Thomas. Interwoven story lines; multiple voices; document transcripts; excerpts from newspapers, notebooks, letters; and no conventionally linear plot make Peter Marinker’s performance all the more remarkable. Marinker’s voice draws instant character sketches, maintains the music of moments, and builds every sentence into its own particular eloquence. Marinker blends dialects, lyricism, and brutality into an unforgettable listening experience. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]