THE BETTER BROWN STORIES

Richard Mitchley is at his versatile, energetic best in this reading of Ahlberg's sequel about the Brown family and the writer who creates them. Family members get the opportunity to persuade the "Writer" to change parts of the plot or characterizations, as they would like them to be. At the same time, the writer and his mother are characters in the story, as well. This leads to various degrees of whimsical confusion. Numerous villains and minor characters also give the narrator a chance to demonstrate his broad range of sound effects and vocalizations. These are delivered with impeccable precision, leading the listener comfortably through the story's twists and turns. J.J.F. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 99]