THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA AND OTHER STORIES

Wolfram Kandinsky's reading of Hemingway's short stories and THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA is inadequate in tone and technique. Nasal and often whiny, his voice is not able to convey the power and stoicism of Hemingway. His emphasis of key words in every sentence creates a tiresome sing-song effect, which undermines the inventive rhythms of the prose. It is read at a monotonously constant pace with limited emotional range. In terms of technique, his accent for Santiago, the Cuban fisherman, sounds like a cross between an Italian shoemaker and a Mexican bandido with a touch of French waiter. In fact, the eloquence of the noble Santiago is best conveyed throught the elegant and unaccented English of Hemingway. P.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT 92]