THE DEATH OF ARTEMIO CRUZ

The main character may be on his deathbed, but narrator Tony Chiroldes brings the recollections of his last moments to vivid life. As Chiroldes moves capably between the present and the past, his pronunciation of Spanish names and words is impeccable, giving the listener a sense of authentic Mexican culture. His narration is full of passion as he takes the listener through the ups and downs of one man's life--and through modern Mexican history. He alternates between empathetic narrative and softly spoken musings to give the listener a wide range, thereby avoiding an overly dramatic monotone. This will be a welcome discovery for those who have not read Carlos Fuentes or had the pleasure of listening to a volume by a skilled narrator. M.R. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2014]