THE SONG OF HIAWATHA The Longfellow Bicentennial Edition

Longfellow's epic poem relates Hiawatha's life from his birth to his greatest feats. His adventures are filled with courage, love, and hardship, which ultimately lead him to forge peace among his peoples. Michael Maglaras's dramatic rendering of Hiawatha's epic journey is powerful. In a deep, resonating voice, he narrates the poem with the cadence and style often heard in Native American cultures. Musical instruments inject their own presence at different times throughout. In particular, the singular beating drum often matches Maglaras's rhythmic speech, amplifying the compelling performance. The well-integrated sound effects manage to enhance the reading without interfering with the narration. L.E. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2008]