TAKING THE DEVIL'S ADVICE

This book asks the essential question, “Why are you listening to this?” Unfortunately, it never gives a satisfactory answer. The story concerns a philosopher who returns to live with his children, his ex-wife, and her new husband in order to write his autobiography. Why he does this obviously silly thing is never explained, but narrator Cornelius Garrett does a fine job making it funny. The text requires him to be outraged and flabbergasted most of the time, and his expressive British accent is up to the task. He creates memorable characters, especially during the outrageous arguments that punctuate the book. It’s too bad the text makes you wonder what all that fussing is about. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 01]