THE PAINTER OF BATTLES

Pérez-Reverte's novel is a mystery, a memoir, a thriller, and a philosophical treatise on the nature of love, art, and war. Andres Falques, a retired war photographer, spends his days painting a massive mural incorporating scenes from horrendous battles. Simon Vance's portrayal of Falques reveals a numb, world-weary, isolated shell, detached not only from others, but also from himself. When a Croatian soldier who has suffered torture and the murder of his family because of a Falques photo shows up, the two men discuss their responsibility for the horrors of war, Vance's performance forces listeners to question their own moral obligations as observers of the world's suffering. Vance's characters are distinct and expressive, evolving as the story progresses. The listener will long remember Vance's delivery of these two voices. M.H.N. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2008]