IN THE LAKE OF THE WOODS

A book punctuated with footnotes, interview snippets, and sprinklings of “evidence” may not seem at first like a good audio candidate. However, L.J. Ganser’s rendition of this novel doesn’t attempt to evade its complexity. When John Wade’s political life implodes after the revelation of his role in Vietnam War atrocities, he and his wife seek solitude in the woods. Kathy’s subsequent disappearance provides the backdrop for a thorough examination of Wade’s life—from his early longing for his father’s love to his obsession with Kathy, from magic tricks to massacres. Ganser seldom misses a beat, even with frequent refrains and unusual authorial choices. The novel raises more questions than it answers, but the questions are good ones. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2012]